Hiring Outlook Bright For Fall

The nation’s hiring outlook will be at its brightest level in 20 years this fall, as employers continue to add workers at a time when low unemployment rates have reduced the labor pool, according to a new survey.

The study to be released Monday by Manpower Inc., the nation’s largest temporary staffing firm, said 28 percent of the companies it surveyed plan to add workers during the last three months of the year.

Only 7 percent plan cutbacks, while the other 65 percent plan no change or aren’t sure. Manpower said Friday that the last time a fourth-quarter survey was as strong was in 1978.

Manpower’s Spokane survey, though, forecasts “a cooler but still pleasant job climate this fall.”

Of local firms questioned about hiring intentions for the fall, 23 percent foresee staffing increases, 6 percent expect cutback and 71 percent say their current work force will meet their needs.

Mitchell Fromstein, Manpower’s chairman and chief executive, said many companies have had trouble adding workers with the nation’s unemployment rate at a 24-year low.

, DataTimes