IT Staffing Report: Feb. 12, 2015

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IT workers’ confidence slips in Q4 after record Q3

The Randstad Technologies Employee Confidence Index of US information technology workers fell to a reading of 57.4 in the fourth quarter from a third-quarter reading of 61.7, the highest level ever recorded in the index’s nine-year history. The index measures workers’ confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment.

“Although overall confidence levels declined this quarter, the labor market conditions for IT workers and job seekers was arguably at the healthiest levels we’ve seen in quite some time,” said Bob Dickey, group president of technology and engineering at Randstad. “What should be most concerning for employers is a diminished level of confidence among the IT workforce around the future of their company. In a profession where innovation and remaining ‘cutting’ edge is fundamental to career growth, if IT workers aren’t confident their current employer holds a competitive edge, they will likely seek employment elsewhere.”

Less than half of IT workers, 49%, expressed confidence in the future of their employer, a significant decline from 62% in the previous quarter.

The percentage of IT workers who said they are likely to look for a new job in the next year edged up to 41% from 40% in the third quarter. However, 44% believe fewer jobs are available, up from 38% in the third quarter. And 52% are confident in their ability to find them, down from 56% in the third quarter.

Technology professionals’ confidence in the overall economy edged down 2 percentage points in the fourth quarter, with 41% believing the economy is getting stronger.

The index is based on a survey of 190 IT workers in the US.