Worker Confidence Dips As New Year Begins

Randstad Survey Findings Indicate US Workers More Concerned About Jobs, Economy

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Feb 01, 2013, 08:33 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Employee Confidence Index decreased 3.3 points in January to 52.1, indicating U.S. workers may be feeling uncertain about the job market and economy amid ongoing budget negotiations, which have led to higher payroll taxes for many Americans. The Index, which tracks U.S. workers' perspectives around jobs and the economy each month, reveals only 26 percent of employees surveyed believe the economy is getting stronger, down five percentage points from the previous month's reading.

"Our recent findings show U.S. workers are somewhat more concerned as we head into the New Year," said Randstad US managing director Jim Link. "Many economists and other widely cited confidence indices, such as the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, point to the increase in payroll taxes having an effect on workers' sentiment. It is possible this tax hike could dampen consumer confidence for the near future and our findings are clearly showing an impact on January's numbers already.

However, it is important to note that our Index, while showing a decrease this month, has remained above the confidence threshold of 50.0 over the last year. Workers should also note other positive signs of improvement in industries such as retail, manufacturing and healthcare, as well as increased activity in the housing market. Many of these industries are anticipating steady growth, even in the midst of changes to taxes and spending cuts. As workers and employers alike keep watchful eyes on the debt ceiling debate and other fiscal uncertainties, we believe variable or temporary labor will be a valuable, turnkey solution to any anticipated market volatility."

Look Inside the Report:

Employee Confidence Dips in January; Remains Above Positive Threshold

The Randstad Employee Confidence Index decreased 3.3 points to 52.1 in January — a steeper fall than in any month to month comparison in 2012; however, the Index has remained at or above 50 (the positive confidence threshold number) for the last year

U.S. Workers More Cautious Around Economic Future, Career Prospects

At the start of 2013, only 26 percent of employees indicated the economy is getting stronger, down five percentage points from December
More than half of employees, 53 percent, believe there are fewer jobs available (compared to only 46 percent sharing this sentiment last month)
While workers are less assured than in December, still more than 43 percent indicate confidence around their ability to find a new job

Employees Remain Secure in their Jobs, Confident in the Future of their Companies

Even with decreased confidence in the job market and economy, most employees (72 percent) feel secure in their current jobs
A majority of workers (61 percent) expressed confidence in the future of their current employers — even more so than last month (59 percent)

A Third of Workers Plan to Transition to a New Job in the New Year

Similar to December 2012, 33 percent of employees indicated they are likely to transition to a new job
More than half (54 percent) reported they are likely to stay at their current job — up two percentage points over December 2012

The Randstad U.S. Employee Confidence Index has measured workforce trends across the country since 2004.

About Harris Interactive

Methodology

This January 2013 Randstad Employment Tracker was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad between January 14-16, 2013 among a U.S. sample of 1,375 employed adults, aged 18 years and older. Results were weighted as needed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, and region. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Randstad
Randstad is a $22.5 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has approximately 28,700 corporate employees working from its nearly 4,700 branches and inhouse locations in 40 countries. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.

Learn more at http://www.randstad.com.

SOURCE Randstad