U.S. workers appear to be divided on their opinions about key aspects of the economy, while their overall confidence level edged down only slightly, according to Randstad’s U.S. employee confidence index. The index fell 1.0 point in May to a reading of 55.5; however, it is above the reading of 54.8 in May 2013.

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

Workers are fairly equally split when it comes to the overall strength of the economy: 33 percent said it is getting stronger, 33 percent indicated it is staying the same and 35 percent said the economy is getting weaker.

“An overall tone of cautious optimism and varied interpretations of key economic measures among economists may be contributing to mixed degrees of confidence amid today's workforce,” said Jim Link, chief HR officer, Randstad North America. “While recent labor numbers have been increasingly higher and more encouraging, they may not have truly materialized in any significant way for most workers. Furthermore, there have been numerous false starts for jobs and the economy over the last five years, therefore tempering any immediate enthusiasm surrounding positive job reports.”

The index is based on a survey of 1,138 employed U.S. adults conducted between May 8 and May 12.