Worker Confidence Rises in February

NEW YORK, March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Employee Confidence Index rose 1.4 points in February to 53.5, indicating U.S. workers may be feeling slightly more upbeat about the economy and the job market. The Index, which tracks U.S. workers' perspectives around jobs and the economy each month, reveals that 30 percent of workers believe the economy is strengthening and nearly a quarter say more jobs are available. The study, conducted online by Harris Interactive, surveyed 1,071 U.S. workers in February of 2013.

"Much like the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, our report shows optimism in the economy seems to have improved over the last month," said Randstad US managing director Jim Link. "Concerns over the impending fiscal cliff appear to have dissipated a bit. In fact, more workers believe the number of jobs available have increased—which is a great sign that overall sentiment on economic conditions is improving.

Despite this welcoming news, it is important to note workers may show decreased confidence over the coming months due to recent increases in gas prices and payroll taxes. On the other hand, one thing our report has consistently indicated is that employed workers are, and have been, keeping their eyes open for other opportunities. In fact, this indicator has never fallen below thirty-one percent of those surveyed in the last eight years of conducting this research—this should speak volumes to anyone managing talent." 

Look Inside the Report:

Employee Confidence Rises in February; Stable Year-Over-Year

• The Randstad Employee Confidence Index increased 1.4 points to 53.5 in February as worker confidence in the macroeconomic environment rose. Additionally, the Index is virtually the same as what was reported one year ago (53.9 in February 2012)

U.S. Workers More Upbeat About Economy, Job Market

• Thirty percent of employees believe the economy is getting stronger, up four percentage points from January
• Nearly a quarter of workers, 24 percent, believe there are more jobs available (compared to only 19 percent sharing this sentiment last month)

Fewer Workers Confident in the Future of their Companies

• Although still a majority (56 percent), fewer workers expressed optimism in the future health of their companies (61 percent reported in January)

Nearly Four in Ten Workers Plan to Transition to a New Job in the Next Year

• Thirty-seven percent of workers surveyed say they are likely to look for new job over the next 12 months versus 33 percent in January

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

Methodology
This February 2013 Randstad Employment Tracker was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad between February 11-13, 2013 among a U.S. sample of 1,071 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 $22.0 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 29,300 corporate employees and around 4,500 branches and inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.

Learn more at www.randstad.com and access Randstad's panoramic US thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll® and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers proprietary solutions in the areas of market and customer insight, corporate brand and reputation strategy, and marketing, advertising, public relations and communications research. Harris possesses expertise in a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Additionally, Harris has a portfolio of multi-client offerings that complement our custom solutions while maximizing our client's research investment. Serving clients in more than 196 countries and territories through our North American and European offices, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients—stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

SOURCE Randstad