U.S. employers will be hiring at a moderately slower pace during the second quarter of 2003, according to the Employment Outlook Survey, conducted by Manpower Inc. and released today.

"The survey results are clearly showing a dominating sense of uncertainty, as hiring intentions have dipped for the first time in over a year," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. "The results were unusually inconsistent across regions and sectors, which may signify a higher than normal level of caution and anxiety in the marketplace, rather than a trend," he added.
Of the nearly 16,000 employers interviewed, 22% said they expect to hire more people during the second quarter of 2003 compared with 20% in the first quarter of this year. Nine percent intend to reduce their workforce compared with 12% in the previous quarter. A steady 63% of companies plan to maintain their current staff levels and 6% are uncertain. When the seasonal variations are removed from the data, employment prospects are expected to be weaker than in the first quarter, but up slightly from the second quarter of 2002.
Below are survey results by industry sector:
Mining: Nineteen percent of employers in the Mining sector intend to hire more people in the second quarter of the year and 10% report that they will be reducing their workforces. When seasonal variations are removed, this is nearly identical to the first quarter survey results, and moderately stronger than the sector reported in second quarter of 2002.
Construction: Thirty-one percent of construction firms said they expect to hire at a quicker pace in the second quarter, and 7% plan to slow it down a bit over the next few months. On a deseasonalized basis, workers can expect job availability to remain stable through June of 2003 with a slight increase over the same quarter of last year. The Northeast reported a notable improvement over first quarter, showing the largest gains of all regions.
Durable goods manufacturing: Employers in this sector expect to hire at a slower pace through the second quarter, with 23% intending to increase their payrolls and 10% planning to reduce their hiring activity. Across the country, Durable Goods Manufacturing is slated to have a markedly improved hiring outlook over the same quarter of last year. All regions are positive, with the West and Northeast increasing employment activity the most significantly.
Non-durable goods manufacturing: Manufacturers are expected to hold back somewhat in the second quarter, as 22% of employers plan to continue hiring more people and only 9% expect a decline in job postings. The employment outlook for this sector is weaker this quarter in all regions, with the West expecting to pick up the pace the most over last year. The Midwest is the only region that is not expected to see employment pick up over last year’s levels in the same quarter.
Transportation/Public utilities: This sector declined moderately from last quarter and slightly from the year ago quarter. The weak job outlook shows 15% of employers plan to hire more people in the second quarter and 10% expect demand for workers to slacken. The Northeast holds the most negative outlook in seven years, lagging the rest of the country.
Wholesale/Retail Trades: When seasonal variations are removed from the data, the Wholesale/Retail Trades appear headed for a disappointing drop in hiring activity in the second quarter. While 24% of employers say they will be adding more people to their payrolls, 10% are planning to cut back. The South holds the most favorable outlook in the country, compared to the same quarter of 2002.
Finance/Insurance/Real Estate: Another gloomy quarter is in store for job seekers in the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sector, as 19% of employers anticipate higher staffing levels in the next few months and 7% plan to hire fewer people. The South has the best prospects for improved opportunities over the year ago quarter.
For more information, visit Manpower’s U.S. web site at www.us.manpower.com.