Workers Show Confidence in Economy, their Employers

NEW YORK, July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- America's workforce is reporting some of the highest levels of confidence seen since the recession, according to the Randstad Employee Confidence Index released today. Measuring employee's attitude toward the economy, their employers, and even their ability to find a new job, the Randstad Index rose to 56.8 points in June, indicating a 2.0-point uptick in overall confidence among U.S. workers since May. This online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad in June of 2013, included 1,351 employed U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

Randstad, the second largest staffing and HR services firm in the world, puts an average of nearly 100,000 people to work in the U.S. each week and has been tracking workforce trends and publishing the U.S. Employee Confidence Index since 2004.

"Our Index figures align with the June Consumer Confidence Index, which saw the most promising signs in five years," said Jim Link, managing director, Randstad U.S.  "Our Index also found over a third of employees are likely to seek a new job in the next 12 months – a sign that the economy has better opportunities available in the eyes of job seekers. The recent strengthening of both the stock market and residential property values are two factors that may help build confidence of the American labor market in months to come."

Added Link, "We are also seeing a continued skill shortage in sectors such as engineering, which has tipped the scale to a candidates' market.  As a result, candidates are receiving multiple job offers and companies are trying to find measures to speed up the recruiting process to avoid losing out on top talent."

About Randstad US
Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, a $22.0 billion global provider of HR services. As the third largest staffing organization in the US, Randstad holds top positions in permanent placement, office and administrative, IT and accounting and finance. From professional services, commercial staffing, recruitment process outsourcing, to managed services and more, Randstad delivers a comprehensive range of temporary, temporary-to-hire, permanent placement and outsourced placement services. With its 5,660 employment experts, Randstad puts an average of nearly 100,000 people to work in the U.S. each week, through its network of more than 900 branches and client-dedicated locations.

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.

Methodology
This 2013 Randstad Employment Tracker was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad between June 4-6, 2013 among a U.S. sample of 1,351 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 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