More than half of workers in the UK (58.4%) feel confident in their job security for the next six months amid low unemployment, high vacancies and nominal wage growth outpacing inflation, according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI), an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

The research noted that the confidence is a long-standing trend as employees see skills shortages as a reason to feel secure in their jobs, with the JCI’s job security confidence pillar the strongest positive driver for the Index overall score for eight consecutive quarters.

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed the estimated number of vacancies in August to October 2023 was 957,000. At the same time, the unemployment rate totalled 4.2%, according to experimental estimates from the ONS for the period from June to August 2023.

Robert Half’s index also noted that unemployment is expected to tick up slightly as high interest rates continue to push down on consumer and business demand, feeding through to employment, yet the labour market will remain tight by historical standards.

Meanwhile, 47.4% of workers feel confident about their future career prospects and ability to progress in their career over the coming five years. Robert Half said the 5.5% increase in job search confidence to 47.4% in Q3 2023 is surprising and may exacerbate the labour challenges for firms in the New Year if workers are highly confident about their ability to progress.

In line with the JCI, Robert Half’s 2024 Salary Guide also reveals that while 69% of businesses feel confident in their growth prospects for 2024 and 47% plan to increase permanent headcount next year, 75% are already concerned about their ability to attract and retain skilled talent.

Matt Weston, senior managing director UK & Ireland, at Robert Half, explained, this scenario could hinder business growth and stability in 2024.

“We’re starting to see signs that pay inflation has peaked, although the good news for workers is wage growth is expected to remain above inflation in the coming months,” Weston said. “Nevertheless, while the current economic uncertainty is a top concern for businesses, the workforce isn’t showing the signs of diminishing confidence as we would usually see at this time. The health of the labour market and that of the wider economy have often been linked, yet at present they are less synced than anticipated.”

“Today’s labour market snapshot is the culmination of factors from the last few years, including Brexit, the Great Resignation and the pandemic,” Weston continued. “Things have changed and access to the skilled talent businesses need to remain competitive is becoming ever more challenging. Increased post-pandemic economic inactivity, innovation outpacing traditional learning routes and limited social mobility have the potential to further weaken the labour market’s ability to match jobs with skilled workers.”

“Our research shows job and business growth confidence are on the rise, yet the widespread skills shortages and economic inactivity will take much longer to tackle. Employers are less likely to be in the driving seat in 2024 and being agile with their talent strategies and workforce models will be key,” Weston said.