Labor Survey Shows Positive Hiring Plans for Q3

Hiring activity is expected to increase in the majority of the world's labor markets compared to last year at this time, according to the results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released today. The organization monitors employment rates throughout the world.

"The third-quarter survey data shows the strongest employment expectations in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand," said Jeffrey Joerres, Manpower chairman and CEO. "Employers in many countries are echoing their intentions to hire just as optimistically as they did in our second-quarter survey. This is a good sign. Compared to a year ago, hiring intentions have improved in 16 of 19 countries."

The survey, based on interviews with over 35,000 employers across 19 countries and territories, revealed that the U.S. jobs outlook continues to be much improved over the same quarter in 2003, with employer optimism holding steady from second quarter into the third quarter.

"In last quarter's survey, we saw a significant improvement in employers' intentions to add staff," Joerres says. "The survey data for the third quarter reveals good news for job seekers, as employers are telling us that they intend to continue hiring from now through September. We are seeing continued strength in expected hiring activity for the Durable and Non-Durable Manufacturing and Construction sectors. Employer optimism in the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector has improved significantly and steadily since the beginning of the year." The U.S. employment outlook for third quarter remains the strongest since the first quarter of 2001.

The portion of the report pertaining to the United States reflects interviews with 16,000 employers across the country. Employers in the construction sector report promising job prospects. Although the net employment outlook in that area is expected to be lower than it was last quarter – about 35 percent compared to about 40 percent in Q2 – job seekers are likely to find solid employment opportunities again this quarter.

Also, with seasonal variations removed from the data, the services sectors shows the most positive outlook across the 10 sectors surveyed by Manpower. Employers noted hiring plans in line with those from the second quarter, with a net employment outlook of 25 percent, and employers are much more optimisitc than a year ago at this time.

A stable employment picture prevails elsewhere in the Americas, with Canadian employers reporting slightly improved job prospects quarter-over-quarter, and Mexico reporting a positive, but unchanged employment outlook.
The next Manpower Employment Outlook Survey will be released on the 14th of September 2004 to report hiring expectations for the fourth quarter of 2004.

Visit www.manpower.com for a free copy of the full Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, including regional employment outlook breakdowns.

Monday, June 15, 2004