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Index: Employees Slightly Less Confident

January 09, 2012

The Randstad employee confidence index slightly decreased 0.6 points in December to a reading of 47.4. The index, which measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, shows that more workers have remained optimistic about the economy and job market.

Overall, employee confidence levels in 2011 have continued to hover around the 50.0 mark, indicating positive confidence. The confidence high point came in May (53.9) and reached its low point in August (41.0).

"As we look back at 2011, we see that employees' concerns changed throughout the year as the economy remained uncertain and employment situations across various industries contracted and expanded,” said Joanie Ruge, senior vice president and chief employment analyst of Randstad Holding US. “Economic growth has remained relatively modest, posting gains in several key sectors, including engineering, IT, healthcare and even finance and accounting. Despite the slight pullback this month, overall temporary help services has continued to show increases, and we see this trend continuing into 2012.”

The employee confidence index is based on an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive. The survey included 1,222 employed U.S. adults between Dec. 12 and 14.