With the continuing turmoil in the housing and credit markets and concerns of an overall slowing in the economy, it's not surprising that the Employee Confidence Index has continued its decline.
Roy Krause, President and CEO, Spherion

The confidence level of U.S. workers slightly decreased in December, according to a recent survey of 2,827 working adults. The Spherion Employee Confidence Index, a monthly gauge of overall worker confidence, decreased by 0.9 point to 52 in December, the lowest level recorded this year. The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Spherion, revealed that while slightly fewer workers were optimistic about job availability, more were confident in the future of their current employer.

According to the Index, the percentage of workers who believed the economy was getting stronger was unchanged at 12 percent, while slightly fewer workers believed that are more jobs available. Despite this, the percentage of workers who are confident in the future of their current employer increased three percentage points from November to 64 percent. In addition, the number of workers likely to look for a new job in the next year remains stable at 32 percent and nearly eight-in-ten (78 percent) workers feel that they are unlikely to lose their job in the next 12 months.

"With the continuing turmoil in the housing and credit markets and concerns of an overall slowing in the economy, it's not surprising that the Employee Confidence Index has continued its decline," said Roy Krause, president and chief executive officer of Spherion. "This month's Index reached its lowest level in the past year, but not all of the data is negative. In fact, the majority of workers remain confident about their own job security and the future of their current employer. The data also shows that nearly a third of workers plan on finding a new job in the next year, indicating that this certainly isn't the time for employers to ease up on their retention and recruiting efforts. It's those employers who make the extra effort now to be recognized as an employer of choice who will reap the benefits from having top talent in the years to come."

Results from the December Harris/Spherion Employment Report:

Macroeconomic Confidence:

- 19 percent of U.S. adult workers believe there are more jobs available, compared to 20 percent in the previous month.

- The percentage of U.S. adult workers who believe the economy is getting stronger remains unchanged at 12 percent.

Personal Confidence:

- 64 percent of U.S. adult workers feel confident in the future of their current employer, an increase of three percentage points since November.

- The percentage of U.S. adult workers who are confident in their own ability to find a new job fell one percentage point from last month to 55 percent.

Job Security: Slightly Fewer Workers Believe it is Unlikely they will Lose Their Job

- 78 percent of U.S. workers believe that it is unlikely that they will lose their jobs in the next twelve months, a decrease of one percentage point from November.

Job Transition: Percentage of Workers Likely to Look for a New Job Unchanged

- 32 percent of workers are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months, unchanged from last month.