Randstad U.S. Employment Report: Worker Confidence Hits 4-Year High

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reaching its highest level since October 2007, U.S. employees painted an overall rosy picture in regards to the economy, job market, and their personal employment situation in March 2012.  According to the latest Randstad Employment Report, overall U.S. worker confidence reached 55.5 in March versus 53.9 in February. This also marks the third month of consecutive increases.

"Despite gas prices being one of the biggest concerns on the minds of workers, we remain pleasantly surprised with the steady increases seen in overall worker confidence," said Joanie Ruge, senior vice president & chief employment analyst for Randstad US Holding. "It seems as though optimism in the employment picture is outweighing any mixed signals being given by other economic reports. In fact, the Index confirms, from a frontline perspective, an optimistic and hopeful outlook around the number job openings, job stability and the future strength of companies. Although the latest Index still remains five points below the historical high, it also stands 15.4 points higher than our Index's all-time low of 40.1 in January 2007. We remain hopeful that this trend will continue."

The online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad. It surveyed 1,399 employed U.S. adults, aged 18 and over between March 13-15, 2012.

A Look Inside the Report:

Employee Confidence Index Hits Highest Level Since October 2007:

• The Employee Confidence Index reached its highest level in four years, registering at 55.5 in March, signifying a hopeful and positive outlook from Americans on the economy, job market and the future of their current employers

Economic Confidence Rises for Seventh Consecutive Month; Highest Number of Consecutive Increases on Record:

• More than a third (32 percent) of employees feel the economy is getting stronger
• Twenty-two percent of U.S. workers believe more jobs are available versus 19 percent in February

Workers Confident Around New Job Prospects:

• Almost half of U.S. workers (45 percent) feel confident in their ability to find a new job -- indicating a more optimistic outlook in career opportunities

A Majority of Workers Feel Their Positions Are Stable:

• Seventy-three percent of workers believe it is unlikely they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months, suggesting that employees are increasingly confident in their company's financial situation, and unconcerned around their individual expendability

Employees Look to Future Career Prospects:

• While over half  (55 percent) of U.S. workers are not likely to leave their current positions, 34 percent are likely to look for a new job -- indicating a possible readiness to seek out other potential career paths

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

About the Randstad Employment Report

About Harris Interactive

Methodology

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