More than one in four US companies plan to increase hiring in the fourth quarter, according to research released today by staffing firm OfficeTeam.

The survey found 26% of human resources managers interviewed said their organization typically increases hiring in the fourth quarter. Of those, 69% of respondents indicated they bring on staff at year-end to fill vacated positions, 62% address upticks in business, and 51% add new positions (multiple responses were permitted).    

The survey also found 17% generally decrease hiring in the fourth quarter, and 57% cited no general pattern/depends on hiring needs at the moment.

“Holiday festivities and vacations may often be top of mind at the end of the year, but that doesn't mean businesses slow down,” said Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTeam. “Many companies ramp up hiring in the fourth quarter, offering seasonal jobs or adding staff to prepare for upcoming projects in the new year.”

In Canada, 20% of HR managers interviewed said their organization typically increases hiring in the fourth quarter. Of those, 95% of respondents indicated they bring on staff at year-end to address upticks in business, 94% add new positions, and 89% fill vacated positions.

The survey also found 6% of Canadian companies generally decrease hiring in the fourth quarter, and 74% cited no general pattern/depends on hiring needs at the moment.

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 HR managers at US companies and more than 300 HR managers at Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.