Employee Confidence Ticks Up in September

Randstad’s Employee Confidence Index edged up slightly by 0.8 points to 52.4 in September, up 7.6 points over September 2011. Compared to this time last year, employees feel more confident in their jobs and the future of their employers. Well over half (56 percent) of workers say that they are not planning to begin a job search within the next year despite an improved job market.

“The Index grew slightly this month to reflect workers sustained confidence in the job market and increased optimism in their personal employment situation,” said Jim Link, managing director of Human Resources for Randstad U.S. “Despite the subtle rise in the Index, workers and employers alike, are still exercising caution when it comes to job searching and hiring. As we approach the fourth quarter, many economists predict to see more of the same when it comes to economic growth until we see more job creation and consumer spending.”

Other key findings include:

• 73 percent of employees feel that the economy is stagnant or getting weaker

• 27 percent of employees think that the economy is getting stronger

• 63 percent of employees experienced increased confidence in the future of their company, in September 2012

• 74 percent of respondents indicated a high level of job security

• 45 percent of employees are confident in their ability to find a new job should they need to

• 53 percent of respondents said that there are fewer jobs available than in August 2012