Employee Confidence Reaches Highest Level Since October 2007
March 6, 2011 – The SFN Group Employee Confidence Index has increased 0.8 points to 53.6 in February. The Index, which measures workers' confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, reached the highest level seen since October 2007, with more workers reporting overall confidence in the economic landscape. The report also detailed that fewer workers reported that they are likely to make a job change in the next 12 months. Twenty-nine percent of U.S. workers believe the economy is getting stronger, showing no change from January. Fifty-one percent of workers believe there are fewer jobs available, dropping six points from last month. “While worker optimism towards the overall economy continues to reach new heights, there is still a fair amount of uncertainty when it comes to their perception of the permanent job market,” said Roy Krause, president and CEO of SFN Group. “Although some economists indicate a promising return to permanent higher volume hiring, many more believe businesses are operating under a new 'normal' characterized by smaller, but more efficient staffs augmented by more temporary and project work.” The online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the SFN Group. It surveyed 1,229 employed U.S. adults, aged 18 and over between February 15 and February 17, 2011.