U.S. firms will pick up their pace of hiring in the third quarter to the best level in 15 months as they build on economic recovery that began in the second quarter, a survey released today indicates.
Staffing projections are gathering strength across the country, according to the quarterly employment outlook survey conducted by Manpower Inc., a leader in the staffing industry.
The survey said 27 percent of the nearly 16,000 companies interviewed by phone plan to add employees in the third quarter of this year, compared with 21 percent in the second quarter.
Eight percent expect to reduce staff, compared with 10 percent, while 59 percent said they would sit tight and not make any changes.
The improvements reflect a 14 percent net increase in employment prospects, a substantial rise over the seasonally adjusted results of the past two quarters, the survey said.
“Overall, the hiring strength is at its most positive level in five quarters,” said Jeffrey Joerres, chairman an CEO of Manpower.