Worker Confidence Stable Heading Into Holiday Season
November 30 2005 - 6:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Hudson Employment Index(SM) Essentially Unchanged at 100.1 NEW
YORK, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. workers' confidence in the
employment market held steady in November as the Hudson Employment
Index(SM) slipped just 0.4 points to 100.1. A significant jump in
perceptions regarding personal finances was offset by modest
declines in job security and job satisfaction, although most
factors changed very little from the previous month. The Index
approached its pre-holiday level reported this time last year
(103.9), narrowing the year-over-year gap to just four points,
compared to a ten point gap in August and September. Financial
Outlook Up in November, But Still Down From Last Year Forty percent
of the workforce reported that their finances were improving, up
from 37 percent in October. With the uptick, sentiments returned to
where they were prior to the hurricanes and the spike in gas prices
earlier this year, easing concerns about dampened holiday shopping.
Additionally, fewer workers (42 percent compared to 44 percent)
believed that their finances were worsening than in October.
However, just 36 percent of the workforce felt this way one year
ago, a substantial year-over-year difference. Not only were workers
feeling better about their finances, but managers and investors
were, too. The percent who reported improved personal finances rose
three and five points, respectively. In addition, investors were
more confident than managers and the general workforce about hiring
plans. Overall, expected hiring levels stayed flat, although 21
percent expressed concern about losing their own jobs -- a one
point increase. "It's a relief to see confidence levels returning
to where they were before this summer's devastation, although a
year-over-year decline in the Index indicates that events have
clearly taken their toll on workers' finances and overall
confidence," said Steve Wolfe, executive vice president, Hudson,
North America. "The final weeks of the year tend to be difficult,
as companies curtail hiring and employees increase spending, but
the situation could be much worse." All Workers All Workers All
Workers November 2005 Average 2005 November 2004 Hudson Employment
Index 100.1 101.3 103.9 Expect hiring 30% 31% 31% Personal finances
improving 40% 41% 42% Personal finances worsening 42% 41% 36% Happy
with job 74% 74% 71% *A more detailed data report is available at
http://www.hudson-index.com/. Hudson, one of the world's leading
professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solution
providers, publishes the Hudson Employment Index, a monthly measure
of U.S. workforce confidence in the employment market. Results are
not seasonally adjusted. Next month's Hudson Employment Index will
be released on January 4, 2006. 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 data is
compiled each month by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent
research firm (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 four occupational sectors surveyed are
accounting and finance, healthcare, information technology, and
manufacturing. The Hudson Employment Index also measures employee
confidence by age, gender, race and compensation levels. Data
reported in this release is based upon a national telephone survey
of 9,474 working Americans during the month of November. 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. Note to Editors Hudson recently launched an updated Web site
(http://www.hudson-index.com/) with easier access to metro market
and occupational sector data. Hudson Hudson delivers specialized
professional staffing, outsourcing, and human capital solutions
worldwide. From single placements to total solutions, the firm
helps clients achieve greater organizational performance by
assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and
brightest people for their businesses. Hudson is a division of
Hudson Highland Group, Inc. one of the world's leading professional
staffing, retained executive search and human capital solution
providers. The company employs more than 3,800 professionals
serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries through
its Hudson and Highland Partners businesses. 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: Jennifer Bernhart of Hudson,
+1-813-890-7379, ; or Sarah Kafenstok of Ogilvy Public Relations,
+1-312-397-6025, Web site: http://www.hudson.com/
http://www.hudson-index.com/
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