Employment outlook at post-recession strength for Q4— Manpower

MILWAUKEE (Sept. 13, 2016) — U.S. employers indicate a slight increase in hiring plans for the final three months of 2016, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released by ManpowerGroup.

Taking into account seasonal variations, Manpower said the net employment outlook for the year's fourth quarter is a plus 18 percent, matching the strongest post-recession outlook reported in last year's fourth quarter. Hiring plans nationwide have improved by three percentage points compared to the previous quarter, according to the Milwaukee-based firm, with all 13 industry sectors reporting they planned to increase their payrolls.

To view and/or download the complete Manpower Employment Outlook Survey's results for the U.S., click here.

Of the more than 11,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 22 percent anticipate increasing staff levels in the fourth quarter — which is a 1-percent decrease from the third quarter of 2016 and a 1-percent increase from the 2015 fourth quarter. Six percent of employers expect workforce reductions and 69 percent expect no change in hiring plans. The final three percent of employers are undecided about their hiring intentions, resulting in a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of +18 percent, according to Manpower.

Nationwide, the firm reported employers in all 13 industry sectors expect payrolls to increase during this year's fourth quarter, with Leisure & Hospitality (+30 percent); Wholesale & Retail Trade (+22 percent); Transportation & Utilities (+20 percent); and Professional & Business Services (+17 percent) employers reporting the strongest hiring intentions.

“Employers are optimistic, though hesitant, with their hiring intentions and we're pleased to see levels we were seeing before the recession,” said Kip Wright, senior vice president of Manpower North America. “While employers are looking to grow their workforces, many are challenged to find candidates with the right skills.

“As the hiring outlook continues to improve, attracting and retaining skilled talent will become even more difficult. That's why we're hearing more about companies like AT&T and Marriott that are adopting strategies to develop their employees' skill sets and competing to attract those with the most in-demand skills – especially in industries like IT and engineering.”

Manpower reported that net employment outlooks have strengthened in all four U.S. regions surveyed when compared with the third quarter assessment. Hiring prospects are slightly stronger in the Northeast, the South and the West when compared with the previous quarter. In the Midwest, the outlook remains relatively stable, while compared to one year ago at this time, hiring plans are slightly stronger in the West and remain relatively stable in the Midwest, the Northeast and the South, the firm said.

Among the 50 states, employers in Hawaii, Tennessee, Utah, Montana, Florida and Arizona report the strongest net employment outlooks, while Alaska, New Jersey, Wyoming, Puerto Rico and Indiana project the weakest outlooks.

Among employers in the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas, Manpower said the strongest job prospects are expected in:

• Honolulu
• Provo-Orem, Utah
• Raleigh, N.C.
• Miami
• Nashville, Tenn.
• Charleston, S.C.

The weakest outlooks are projected in:

• Oklahoma City
• Seattle
• Buffalo, N.Y.
• Kansas City, Mo.
• Worcester, Mass.

Manpower plans to release its next survey on Dec. 13, covering hiring expectations for the first quarter of 2017.

The firm said its Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.