HHGP Hudson Highland Grp., Inc. (MM)

Six in Ten U.S. Workers Expect Salary Increase in 2005 Employee Confidence Higher Than One Year Ago According to Hudson Employment Index NEW YORK, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A majority of U.S. workers look to next year optimistically, with 61 percent expecting higher salaries according to a national Hudson survey on the employment outlook for 2005. This includes 18 percent who expect to earn significantly more. Also, the percentage who believe their job prospects and employment situations will improve next year (44 percent) outweighs the percentage of those who do not (33 percent). Workers also anticipate improved employment prospects in 2005, with 42 percent indicating they are somewhat to very likely to look for a new job in the coming year. Only 22 percent rule out looking for another job next year. To enhance employment opportunities, one in four workers (25 percent) believes that developing new skills will play the most vital role, followed closely by 23 percent of workers who feel a higher educational degree would be most helpful. "Looking ahead to next year, workers are more positive overall than at the same juncture last year, though optimism has cooled since a summer peak," said Jeff Anderson, senior vice president, Hudson Global Resources, North America. "Still, fewer are worried about losing their jobs and hiring has rebounded. As a result, we expect workers will be more willing to take risks; gone is the 'better safe than sorry' mentality that was keeping them in their current jobs." 2004 Hudson Employment Index Year-In-Review Looking back at 2004, worker sentiment towards the employment market gained momentum overall. The monthly Hudson Employment Index, surveying approximately 9,000 workers nationwide since December 2003, averaged 106.3 over the past twelve months, compared to its initial reading of 100. Some important trends were also seen across industry and city-specific indices: Industry -- The Hudson Accounting & Finance Employment Index posted the most positive annual average sector Index at 114.4. -- The Hudson Manufacturing Index posted the lowest 2004 average at 99. -- Demonstrative of the sector, the Hudson IT Index revealed the most volatility as it posted the highest level of all sector indices for 2004 at 120.8 in October, while also experiencing some of the most dramatic stumbles. Closing out 2004, the IT Index posted an average reading of 111.5, the second highest among all industries measured. -- The Hudson Healthcare Index posted an average reading of 110.8 for the year, outpacing the national Index ten months of the year. Detailed monthly comparison charts are available at http://www.hudson-index.com/hudson/yearend.asp. Major Metropolitan Markets -- San Francisco posted the lowest annual average Index at 89.6, reporting the highest average of workers worried about losing their jobs. It was followed closely by New York with an average of 93.2. -- Dallas emerged as the strongest local Index almost every month, posting an average reading of 116.7 for the year. Dallas workers reported the highest confidence with regards to anticipated hiring in their firms and their personal finances. -- Boston posted an average Index reading of 106.2, with local workers reporting the highest levels of job satisfaction as compared to other cities. -- Chicago posted an average Index reading of 101.7, with a recent rebound after lagging the national market for much of the year. Detailed monthly comparison charts are available at http://www.hudson-index.com/hudson/yearend.asp. The Hudson 2005 Employment Outlook survey was based upon telephone interviews with 3,150 workers conducted between November 24 and December 8, 2004. The interviews were conducted by Rasmussen Reports, an independent public opinion research firm based in New Jersey. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- two percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence. 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). 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 Anshula Ahluwalia of Ogilvy Public Relations, +1-312-397-6074, Web site: http://www.hhgroup.com/

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