Manpower Finds Uptick in Hiring Intentions for Q1

Of the more than 28,000 employers surveyed, 12% percent anticipate an increase in staff levels in their Quarter 1 2010 hiring plans, while 12% expect a decrease in payrolls, resulting in a Net Employment Outlook of 0%, according to a press release. However, when seasonally adjusted, the Net Employment Outlook becomes +6%.

Seventy-three percent of employers expect no change in their hiring plans, the highest in the survey’s history. Three percent of employers indicate they are undecided about their hiring intentions.

The survey found employers in Mining, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Information, and Government expect hiring to moderately increase in the first quarter, while slight increases are expected among employers in Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities, Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Other Services.

The press release said employers in two industry sectors, Construction and Wholesale & Retail Trade, anticipate a slight decrease in hiring levels. Financial Activities employers intend to maintain relatively stable staff levels.

When compared to a year ago, all of the survey regions have weaker year-over-year employment outlooks. Using the seasonally adjusted data, all regions anticipate moderate quarter-over-quarter increases in staff levels, with employer confidence highest in the South and Midwest.

“The data points to encouraging news. A record number of employers plan to keep staff levels stable, which is good for the employed, and an overall positive Outlook means expanding opportunities for job seekers,” said Jonas Prising, Manpower president of the Americas, in the announcement. “Employer uncertainty around hiring is shifting from whether to consider adding staff, to when – and at what rate – to make the investment.”