U.S. workers report the highest level of job security since October 2008, according to the Randstad U.S. Employee Confidence Index for September. However, despite the improvement in sentiment around job security, the Randstad employee confidence index edged down 2.3 points in September to a level of 55.7.

The index measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism about the economic environment.

“In step with the national employment situation, our index has reflected a year of mixed sentiment and fluctuating levels of confidence among workers,” said Jim Link, Randstad’s chief HR officer, North America. “However, the increased level of job security among employees coincides with other positive signs we are seeing in the overall market, such as the rise in the index of leading economic indicators, which indicates a slowly mending economy, a rebound in new U.S. home sales and an increase in durable-goods orders. Additionally, the number of people likely to look for a new job rose from last month and has consistently remained in the mid-to-high 30s despite the ebbs and flows of the economy. These are all signs of a fairly confident workforce.”

Seventy-six percent of U.S. workers said it is not likely they will lose their jobs, and 47 percent are confident in their ability to find new jobs. Although employees display stronger feelings of job security, 36 percent are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months.

The study, conducted online by Harris Interactive, surveyed 1,025 U.S. workers between Sept. 9 and Sept. 11, 2013.