Press Room

DRAFT (7/22/04)

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Despite the addition of more than a million jobs to payrolls over the past few months, American workers are not yet convinced that more jobs are available in the current job market.  This reflects an ongoing uncertainty over the long-term strength of the job market and the economy in general.

In the monthly Spherion Emerging Workforce Employment Trend Survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Spherion Corporation, 42% of 2,800 working adults polled believe that fewer available jobs have been created, even though the Labor Department has reported 10 straight months of job gains.  Most recently, payroll employment increased by more than 110,000 in June.

Other indicators show that workers are less concerned about their job security and are poised to explore new job opportunities.  Spherion’s Job Security Index indicates that most American workers feel secure in their current jobs.  Nearly 80% of survey respondents indicated that it was unlikely that they would lose their jobs or have their jobs eliminated in the next 12 months, given the current state of the economy and their employer.

Spherion’s Job Transition Index shows that more than 40% of survey respondents are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months, with 55% claiming confidence in their ability to find a new position. 

“This month’s survey reveals a number of significant trends about the American workforce,” said Robert Morgan, president of employment solutions at Spherion Corporation, a leading provider of staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions.  “On the one hand, workers remain unconvinced about actual job creation and may yet be experiencing it first-hand, even though we’re seeing the highest job increases since early 2000.  On the other hand, the study shows confident workers who feel secure in their jobs and are ready to walk out on their employer despite an uncertain economic outlook.  This reflects our long-standing belief in an emerging workforce that is confident, self-motivated and willing to take charge of their own careers.”

The survey also revealed that:
Ambivalence remains over the long-term strength of the economy.  33% of those polled believe the economy is getting stronger, while 29% think it is getting weaker.  38% believe the state of the economy has remained the same;

65% of survey respondents have a lot of confidence in the future of their current employer, with just 14% indicating a lack of confidence;

57% of survey respondents are satisfied with their current job, with just 19% expression dissatisfaction.

Additional cross-tab results??

“It’s interesting to note that 55% of those likely to leave their jobs actually think fewer jobs are available, compared to just 35% of those unlikely to leave their jobs,” continued Morgan.  “Again, this seems to reflect a confident, self-reliant worker who is still willing to seek other opportunities despite thinking fewer jobs are out there.”

About the Spherion Emerging Workforce Employment Trend Survey
Each month, Harris Interactive conducts a survey on behalf of Spherion Corporation to measure the most up-to-date workforce trends.  Two key indexes are measured every month: the Spherion Job Security Index, which captures how likely respondents think that they will lose their job or that their job will be eliminated in the next 12 months given the current state of the economy and their company; and the Spherion Job Transition Index, which captures how likely respondents are to look for a new job in the next 12 months.  The survey also measures respondents’ views on the strength of the economy, availability of jobs, confidence in finding a new job, confidence in the future of their employer and job satisfaction.

The survey tracks national results as well as key state and regional data.

Methodology

A statistically valid sample of 2,800 respondents were interviewed online between July 16 and July 20, 2004 (made up dates). The respondents polled were 18 years of age or older and employed full-time and part-time. 

About Spherion
Spherion Corporation is a leader in the staffing industry in North America, providing value-added staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions. Spherion has helped companies improve their bottom line by efficiently planning, acquiring and optimizing talent since 1946. To learn more, visit www.spherion.com.

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