U.S. Job Market to Stay Strong, Survey Says

The U.S. labor market will lose no steam in this year’s third quarter amid steady demand for new employees, according to a survey released today. The poll of more than 15,000 U.S. companies by temporary employment company Manpower Inc. found 32% planned to add staff, while 6% expected job cuts. Fifty-eight percent expected no change in their work force, and 4% were uncertain. The figures compared with second-quarter findings of 29% expecting to increase staff, 6% planning job cuts, 61% unchanged and 4% uncertain. In the third quarter of 1998, a similar survey found that 32% planned to recruit workers, 5% saw job reductions, 59% were unchanged, and 4% were uncertain. Manpower President and Chief Executive Jeffrey Joerres said the similarity in survey results for the third quarter of 1999 and the year-ago quarter was “part of a steady demand for new employees that has persisted over the past nine quarters.” He said the expected increase in hirings in the third quarter of this year over the second quarter was due to “seasonal variation.” The construction sector will lead others in hiring activity, with 40% of the firm surveyed expecting to employ more workers and just 4% seen cutting jobs.