Align Flexible Workforce Models with Business Strategy to Thrive in Economic Uncertainty, ManpowerGroup Says, As Unemployment Rate Falls to 7.3%

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the world leader in innovative workforce solutions, says companies that align flexible workforce models with business strategy are better positioned to manage economic uncertainty and fluctuating demand, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today reported the overall jobless rated ticked down to 7.3% in August. 

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"Companies are using contingent labor differently than they did prior to the recession," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO.  "They are realizing the effectiveness of incorporating agile workforces as part of their overall business strategy, and this gives them the flexibility to meet fluctuating demand during uncertain times.  No one knows where and when the next economic shock will come from, and it's important to remain nimble to meet new workforce and business challenges head on."

Released earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ManpowerGroup's "Leading in the Human Age: Why An Era of Certain Uncertainty Requires New Approaches to the World of Work," outlines how companies can reinvent themselves as flexible and adaptable Human Age Corporations in response to chronic unpredictability.

In addition, ManpowerGroup's 2013 Talent Shortage study reveals that 39% of U.S. employers are having difficulty finding staff with the right skills, down from 49% in 2012. This year-over-year improvement indicates a willingness on behalf of U.S. employers to look for new ways to find the talent they need, either in existing employees to help them advance, or in sourcing new, skilled talent from outside avenues, such as temporary staffing firms.

According to the survey, nearly half (49%) of U.S. employers recognize that talent shortages impact their ability to serve clients and customers.  In addition, U.S. employers report skilled trades positions are the most difficult to fill, the fourth consecutive year this job has topped the list of the Top 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill. Engineering and IT positions continue to place high on the list year after year.

"Right now, smart jobs seekers with the right skills recognize they are in the driver's seat when it comes to deciding where to work.  Acquiring the skills that are most in demand with today's employers is a sure-fire way to secure one's future employability," Joerres added.

ManpowerGroup has more than 600,000 associates on assignment each day, globally.

About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup™ (NYSE: MAN) is the world leader in innovative workforce solutions that ensure the talent sustainability of the world's workforce for the good of companies, communities, countries, and individuals themselves. Specializing in solutions that help organizations achieve business agility and workforce flexibility, ManpowerGroup leverages its 65 years of world of work expertise to create the work models, design the people practices and access the talent sources its clients need for the future. From staffing, recruitment, workforce consulting, outsourcing and career management to assessment, training and development, ManpowerGroup delivers the talent to drive the innovation and productivity of organizations in a world where talentism is the dominant economic system. Every day, ManpowerGroup connects more than 630,000 people to work and builds their experience and employability through its relationships with 400,000 clients across 80 countries and territories. ManpowerGroup's suite of solutions is offered through ManpowerGroup™ Solutions, Manpower®, Experis™ and Right Management®. ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the third consecutive year in 2013, confirming our position as the most trusted brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup makes powering the world of work humanly possible at www.manpowergroup.com. Follow ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO Jeff Joerres on Twitter: Twitter.com/manpowergroupjj   

SOURCE ManpowerGroup