Economic uncertainty represents the greatest obstacle to increased hiring in 2012, according to a workforce planning survey released by Yoh, a Philadelphia-based technology staffing provider. The survey included responses from 100 executives at U.S. companies with revenue of more than $750 million.

Sixty-one percent of respondents reported an economic uncertainty has the most potential to discourage adding of personnel. Twenty-four percent cite the lack of demand for products or services, and 9 percent believe that political uncertainty is the greatest impediment to hiring in 2012.

“While it might be politically expedient to reduce employment to sound bites during the election season, these findings suggest that political uncertainty and gridlock have little to do with driving the employment process,” said Yoh President Lori Schultz. “In reality, customer demand still trumps broader policy and political considerations.”

Thirty-five percent of those surveyed reported their firms will have more employees in the next 12 months, 19 percent said they will have fewer employees, and 46 percent said they will have about the same number of employees.