HHGP Hudson Highland Grp., Inc. (MM)

Hudson Employment Index(SM) Rises to Highest Level of the Year Monthly Measure of Employee Confidence Climbs 3.1 points to 107.9 in June NEW YORK, June 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hudson Employment Index(SM) rose sharply in June, signaling continued strong job creation by the U.S. economy in the second quarter. The Index rose 3.1 points to 107.9, its 2004 high. The rise is the largest single-month increase in employee confidence recorded by the Index this year. Overall, the numbers of employees and managers who report that their companies are adding jobs are at their highest level of the year (see chart). The percentage of workers who reported their employers have plans to hire grew 6 percent from May to 34 percent, while only 17 percent of workers reported their firms are laying off staff. Private-sector employees maintained their confidence in the job market for a third consecutive month with 39 percent reporting hiring. The percentage of managers who say that their firms are hiring jumped to 36 percent in June from 33 percent in May. "The labor market seems to have regained its momentum after taking a breather last month," said Jeff Anderson, senior vice president of Hudson Global Resources. "The percentage of workers that report hiring in their companies has reached its highest level this year, recording a 17 percent increase over December of last year." He adds, "The trend displayed by the Index in the first six months of the year leads us to believe that the recovery in the job market is likely to be sustained, even though there may be month-to-month fluctuations." Percentage of respondents who say their companies are hiring in coming months. Dec 03 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June All Workers 29 31 31 33 33 32 34 Managers 32 33 32 35 35 33 36 Private-Sector Employees 32 36 36 38 39 39 39 Hudson, one of the world's leading professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solution providers, publishes the Hudson Employment Index, a monthly measure of the U.S. workforce's confidence in the employment market. Next month's Hudson Employment Index will be released on August 4, 2004. The Hudson Employment Index The Hudson Employment Index (Hudson-Index.com) measures the U.S. workforce's confidence in the employment market. Based upon monthly telephone surveys with approximately 9,000 U.S. workers, the Index tracks aggregate employment trends around career opportunities, hiring intentions, job satisfaction and retention. The Index is compiled each month by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent research firm (RasmussenReports.com). Data reported in this release is based upon a national telephone survey of 9,189 working Americans during the month of June. 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 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. 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 of Hudson, +1-813-890-7379, or ; or Anshula Ahluwalia of Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-312-397-6074, or , for Hudson Web site: http://www.hhgroup.com/

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