HHGP Hudson Highland Grp., Inc. (MM)

Personal Finances Up While Hiring Expectations Hit Record Low NEW YORK, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hudson Employment Index(SM) rose .9 points in October to 101.4, up from last month's 2006 annual low reading. Improved sentiment around personal finances and job security triggered the uptick. However, a decrease in the number of employees expecting hiring tempered worker confidence. The latest Index is almost one point higher than last October, when it was 100.5. Finances Looking Up While there was little change in how workers rated their finances, the number expecting their situation to improve in October topped those describing a worsening situation for the first time since April. Forty-two percent of workers made a positive prediction regarding their finances, compared to 38 percent who said that their situation was getting worse. Those figures were both 40 percent in September. "Noticeable improvements in gas prices as well as a record-setting month for the Dow have both had a positive effect on workers' perceptions of their financial situations," said Steve Wolfe, senior vice president, Hudson. "Despite a seemingly slowing economy, workers are looking in their own wallets and realizing that their situation is looking up." Less Hiring Expected, but Workers Not Too Concerned For the fourth consecutive month, U.S. employees reported less planned hiring compared to the previous month. In fact, the latest polling found just 28 percent forecasted an increase in headcount, the fewest to make this statement on record. However, while hiring has fallen four points since July, the number of workers expecting layoffs has shifted less than a point during that same time period, holding near 15 percent. Further, perceived job security has been slowly improving since April. "The pace of job growth is slowing as businesses adjust their plans, yet at the same time, fewer workers worry that their positions are on the line," added Wolfe. "It is quite encouraging to see their faith in the economy, instead of alarm at the first hint at softening. It definitely signals a stability in the employment market that is not dependent upon job growth." Managers Eye to Eye with Workers Confidence among managers mirrored that of the entire work force in October as well. They were more optimistic because of their financial situations and job security. However, they also saw a decrease in expected hiring. All Workers All Workers Managers Managers Oct 2006 Sept 2006 Oct 2006 Sept 2006 Hudson Employment Index 101.4 100.5 112.5 110.4 Expected Hiring 28% 29% 27% 30% Personal Finances Getting Worse 38% 40% 34% 37% Concerned About Job Loss 18% 19% 16% 19% *A more detailed data report is available at http://www.hudson-index.com/. Hudson, one of the world's leading professional staffing, outsourcing and talent management solutions providers, publishes the Hudson Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market. Results are not seasonally adjusted. Next month's Hudson Employment Index will be released on December 6. The Hudson Employment Index The Hudson Employment Index (Hudson-Index.com) is based on monthly telephone surveys with approximately 9,000 U.S. workers. The Index tracks aggregate employment trends regarding career opportunities, hiring intentions, job satisfaction and retention. The data is compiled each month by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent research firm (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/). Survey results are segmented by 11 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. The Index surveys five occupational sectors: accounting and finance, health care, information technology, manufacturing and legal. The Hudson Employment Index also measures employee confidence by age, gender, race and compensation. Data reported in this release is based on a national telephone survey of 9,159 working Americans during the month of October. The margin of sampling error for a survey based on this number of interviews is approximately +/-1 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. The data is not seasonally adjusted. It will be reviewed at year-end to determine if seasonal adjustments are appropriate. The Hudson Employment Index is a service mark owned by Hudson Highland Group, Inc. About Hudson Hudson (NASDAQ:HHGP) is a leading provider of permanent recruitment, contract professionals and talent management services worldwide. From single placements to total outsourced solutions, Hudson helps clients achieve greater organizational performance by assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and brightest people for their businesses. The company employs more than 3,600 professionals serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries. More information is available at http://www.hudson.com/ Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference. DATASOURCE: Hudson CONTACT: Sarah Kafenstok of Hudson, +1-312-795-4202, ; or Anshula Ahluwalia of Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-312-397-6074, Web site: http://www.hudson.com/

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