NEW YORK, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Randstad's latest
Employee Confidence Index was 51.1 in June, recording its third
consecutive decline in overall confidence levels among U.S.
workers. Macroeconomic concerns contributed to the continued
retreat in overall optimism, as workers apprehensions about the
strength of the economy and job availability increased. While the
overall June Index dipped by 2.1 points, it still remains three
points higher than this time last year.
Yet, despite greater economic insecurities, employee
perspectives on the availability of jobs and the future of their
current employers remain largely unchanged or slightly higher than
in January. Most notably, employee confidence in the ability to
find a new job is up four points over the January number. In both
May and June, 41 percent of respondents expressed confidence in
being able to find new employment.
"These first six months of the year have certainly been
different than what analysts and economists expected, with less job
creation posted in the second quarter," said Joanie Ruge, SVP & chief employment analyst
for Randstad Holding. "While the economy has unquestionably added
jobs at a very modest pace, it is certainly interesting to see that
workers remain confident about the stability of their current jobs,
employers and ability to find employment.
"It is clear, however, that the economy and job market are
continuing to weigh heavily on the minds of U.S. workers. This
sentiment will also likely remain for employers as they look
towards the second half of what has proven to be a year of caution.
In fact, many expect this mindset to remain as we head closer to
the November U.S. presidential election. That said, we continue to
see demand in industries like information technology and
engineering, as unemployment rates remain low and the demand for
skilled workers high. With the more than eight million jobs lost
since the start of the financial crisis, roughly 3.8 million have
been added back. Job creation will continue to be a top priority as
we reach the final few quarters of 2012."
The online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf
of Randstad. It surveyed 1,253 employed U.S. adults, aged 18 and
over between June 11-13, 2012.
Look Inside the Report:
Employee Confidence Index Down, Still Above Positive
Confidence Threshold of 50
- The Employee Confidence Index was down for the third month in
June, registering at 51.1, ending the quarter on a downward
trend
- June overall confidence level remains three points higher than
June 2011, and 0.5-points lower than
June 2010
Overall Employees Unsure About Economy, Job Creation
- In June, just less than a quarter (24 percent) of employees
indicate the economy is getting stronger; down from a year high in
March of 32 percent
- During the first six months of the year, half of workers on
average (49 percent) believed fewer jobs were available. Less than
one in five (19 percent) believed more jobs were available
Personal Confidence High, Consistent
- A majority of workers (61 percent, averaged) over the last six
months, indicated that they are confident in the future of their
companies
- Worker confidence in ability to find a new job reached a
six-month high in April of 46 percent; In June this number was down
five points to 41 percent
U.S. Workers Remain Secure in Their Positions
- Employee confidence in the security of their jobs has remained
above 70 percent over the last four months. Job security registered
at 71 percent in June 2012.
The Randstad U.S. Employee Confidence Index measures workforce
trends across the country since 2004.
About the Randstad Employment Report
About Harris Interactive
Methodology
This June 2012 Randstad Employment
Tracker was conducted online within the
United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad
between June 11-13, 2012 among a U.S.
sample of 1,253 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