NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad
Employee Confidence Index decreased 3.3 points in January to 52.1,
indicating U.S. workers may be feeling uncertain about the job
market and economy amid ongoing budget negotiations, which have led
to higher payroll taxes for many Americans. The Index, which tracks
U.S. workers' perspectives around jobs and the economy each month,
reveals only 26 percent of employees surveyed believe the economy
is getting stronger, down five percentage points from the previous
month's reading.
"Our recent findings show U.S. workers are somewhat more
concerned as we head into the New Year," said Randstad US managing
director Jim Link. "Many economists
and other widely cited confidence indices, such as the Conference
Board's Consumer Confidence Index, point to the increase in payroll
taxes having an effect on workers' sentiment. It is possible this
tax hike could dampen consumer confidence for the near future and
our findings are clearly showing an impact on January's numbers
already.
However, it is important to note that our Index, while showing a
decrease this month, has remained above the confidence threshold of
50.0 over the last year. Workers should also note other positive
signs of improvement in industries such as retail, manufacturing
and healthcare, as well as increased activity in the housing
market. Many of these industries are anticipating steady growth,
even in the midst of changes to taxes and spending cuts. As workers
and employers alike keep watchful eyes on the debt ceiling debate
and other fiscal uncertainties, we believe variable or temporary
labor will be a valuable, turnkey solution to any anticipated
market volatility."
Look Inside the Report:
Employee Confidence Dips in January; Remains Above Positive
Threshold
- The Randstad Employee Confidence Index decreased 3.3 points to
52.1 in January — a steeper fall than in any month to month
comparison in 2012; however, the Index has remained at or above 50
(the positive confidence threshold number) for the last year
U.S. Workers More Cautious Around Economic Future, Career
Prospects
- At the start of 2013, only 26 percent of employees indicated
the economy is getting stronger, down five percentage points from
December
- More than half of employees, 53 percent, believe there are
fewer jobs available (compared to only 46 percent sharing this
sentiment last month)
- While workers are less assured than in December, still more
than 43 percent indicate confidence around their ability to find a
new job
Employees Remain Secure in their Jobs, Confident in the
Future of their Companies
- Even with decreased confidence in the job market and economy,
most employees (72 percent) feel secure in their current jobs
- A majority of workers (61 percent) expressed confidence in the
future of their current employers — even more so than last month
(59 percent)
A Third of Workers Plan to Transition to a New Job in the New
Year
- Similar to December 2012, 33
percent of employees indicated they are likely to transition to a
new job
- More than half (54 percent) reported they are likely to stay at
their current job — up two percentage points over December 2012
The Randstad U.S. Employee Confidence Index has measured
workforce trends across the country since 2004.
About Harris Interactive
Methodology
This January 2013 Randstad
Employment Tracker was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on
behalf of Randstad between January 14-16,
2013 among a U.S. sample of 1,375 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