HHGP Hudson Highland Grp., Inc. (MM)

Hudson Employment Index(SM) Data Suggests U.S. Workers Will Jump Ship For Better Jobs as Economy Strengthens Staffing and solutions provider launches monthly measure of employee opinions on key workplace issues NEW YORK, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite general satisfaction with their jobs, 60 percent of U.S. workers would seriously consider changing positions given the opportunity, according to survey data used to compile the premiere release of the Hudson Employment Index(SM). Even among those individuals who are happy with their current job, a majority (52 percent) would consider moving on if offered a new position. Launched today, the Hudson Employment Index is the first monthly measure of employee attitudes on critical work issues, including career opportunities, job satisfaction and workplace performance. Hudson, one of the world's leading professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solution providers, publishes the Index. Each month, telephone interviews are conducted with approximately 9,000 U.S. workers to compile the Hudson Employment Index. A series of tracking questions are asked of employees and managers to provide the underlying data. With an inaugural value of 100.0, the Index will move up or down as confidence in the employment market improves or wanes. This month's survey data also reveals that 28 percent of all employees, and 24 percent of managers, are currently looking for another job. Further, 21 percent of those happy with their current jobs are in the market for a new position. However, 86 percent of all respondents say it is somewhat or very likely that they will be working for the same employer in a year. "These findings suggest that Americans are willing to accept the status quo in this decidedly employer-friendly market," according to Thomas B. Moran, President, Hudson North America, "but that a market rebound may herald a new round of employee churn." Overall, the American workforce is growing more confident about the labor market, though lingering caution remains. The survey indicates 29 percent of workers believe that their companies will be hiring more workers over the coming months, while just 17 percent say their companies will lay off workers. Despite the positive hiring outlook, 20 percent of all workers are worried about the possibility of losing their jobs. This figure includes 17 percent of business managers. "Clearly, there are residual effects from previous rounds of layoffs, with a fear factor that may be higher than is warranted," commented Moran. Even workers who are not worried about losing their jobs are keeping their options open -- 24 percent are looking for another job, and 56 percent would be somewhat or very likely to accept another position. The survey's objective is to provide thorough and timely intelligence about the views of employees on forces impacting organizational performance and productivity. "The data behind the Hudson Employment Index offers an unfiltered view into the minds of American employees," states Moran. "We are pleased to launch this vehicle to share real opinions from real employees about what is working -- and what is not -- in organizations today." Next month's Hudson Employment Index will be released on February 4, 2004. For historic context, data is also available from more than 100,000 employee interviews conducted in 2003. The Hudson Employment Index The Hudson Employment Index measures employee attitudes on critical work issues, including career opportunities, job satisfaction and workplace performance. The Index is compiled each month by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent research firm, based upon telephone interviews and survey responses from approximately 9,000 U.S. workers (RasmussenReports.com). Data reported in this release is based upon a national telephone survey of 9,250 working Americans during the month of December. The margin of sampling error for a survey based upon this many interviews is approximately 1 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. The Hudson Employment Index is a service mark owned by Hudson Highland Group, Inc. More information can be found at Hudson-Index.com. Hudson Hudson delivers specialized professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solutions worldwide. From single placements to total solutions, the firm assesses, recruits and develops talent to meet the specific business needs of each client. Global practice areas include Accounting & Finance; Engineering, Operations & Scientific; Healthcare; Human Resources; IT & Telecommunications; Legal; and Sales & Marketing. Hudson is a division of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:HHGP) one of the world's leading professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solution providers. More information is available at 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: Jennifer Bernhart, Director of Market Research, Hudson, +1-813-890-7379, ; or Linda Butler, Vice President, Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-312-397-6002, , for Hudson Web site: http://www.hudson.com/ http://www.hudson-index.com/ http://www.hhgroup.com/

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