Worker confidence slipped slightly in January, according to the Hudson employment index, a monthly survey of worker confidence by Hudson (NASD: HHGP). Worker confidence fell to 89.0 from 89.3 in December.

Thirty-two percent of workers said their finances were improving in January compared with 33% in December. And 23% expected their employers to hire in January, the same as in December.

"Normally, the New Year brings some renewed optimism among the work force, but not this year," said Robert Morgan, co-president of recruitment and talent management at Hudson. "Many workers started 2008 faced not only with holiday expenses straining their budgets, but also with a shaky economy that is worrying everyone from politicians to investors alike."

However, the Hudson employment index for healthcare workers rose 0.4 points to 94.5 in January. Forty-eight percent of healthcare workers rated their finances as "good" or "excellent," up nine points from December. Seventy-six percent of healthcare workers were happy with their jobs in January, up from 75% in December.