ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey Predicts Stable Hiring in Q2 2014

 In ManpowerGroup’s latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey hiring confidence is projected to continue increasing through the second quarter as U.S. employers report an adjusted Net Employment Outlook up 13 percent for the third consecutive quarter, the strongest since Q2 2008. Out of the survey of over 18,000 employers, 19 percent anticipate an increase in staff levels during Q2 2014 while only 4 percent expect staff reductions. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of employers foresee no changes on the hiring scene and the remaining 4 percent are unsure of their hiring intentions.

“Although we expect measured, stable growth in new hiring for the coming quarter, the good news is that employers anticipate the lowest rate of workforce reductions in nearly four decades,” said ManpowerGroup President Jonas Prising. “With ninety-two percent of U.S. employers planning to hire or keep their staff levels steady, there is a sense of optimism that demand for goods and services is getting more predictable, allowing employers to feel more comfortable about business growth.”

The Q2 Outlooks appear stable across all regions though there is some variance in hiring intentions between states and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). North Dakota recorded the strongest Net Employment Outlook at 25 percent. Employers in all 100 MSAs report positive hiring plans led by Provo, Utah at 29 percent. Hawaiian employers report the weakest Outlook at 6 percent.

“To keep the momentum going, employers need to rethink their talent strategies so they can make the most of continued demand when they feel it,” said Prising. “Flexible workforce models that incorporate a mix of full-time and contract staff are essential to getting ahead in today’s uncertain economic cycles. By remaining agile, business leaders can create adaptive workforces that leverage advanced technology and specialized teams to drive strong results.”