Spherion research shows more U.S. workers believed in a strengthening economy and job market in June, despite declining confidence in their ability to find a new job themselves.
In fact, the monthly survey about overall worker confidence increased 1.2 points to 58.7 in June, its highest number since February.
However, slightly more workers lack the confidence in their ability to find a new job. The “Personal Confidence Index” decreased 0.6 points to 74.3 in June, as the percentage of workers not confident in their ability to find a new job increased.
Other specific results from the June Spherion employment report — which surveyed 3,136 working adults — found that 21% believe the economy is getting stronger, compared to 19 percentage points in the previous month.
Confidence in job security remains high, with 77% of U.S. workers thinking it is unlikely they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months.
“Recent economic reports about the manufacturing sector and inflation suggest that the U.S. economy is in good shape and workers are certainly feeling this in their pocketbooks, as both incomes and personal spending have recently risen,” Spherion president Roy Krause said in a release.
“In addition to all of this, the job market is still quite healthy as employers add to their payrolls on a consistent basis. Even though total job growth has slowed in comparison to 2006, it’s much more difficult to find skilled workers this year. Market dynamics are forcing companies to be more creative and the most emergent employers are offering additional recruiting and retention incentives to remain competitive,” he said.