Confidence Among Office and Administrative Workers Hits 6-Year High

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Office and Administration Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. office and administrative workers, reached its highest peak since the recession, climbing three points from the previous quarter to 54.3. The quarterly study, conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad, surveyed 427 U.S. workers, ages 18 and older, employed in the office and administrative sector in April, May and June of 2013. Employees reported higher confidence levels in the strength of the economy, job availability and the ability to find new jobs.

"Employee confidence levels have improved among almost all industries tracked by Randstad, including finance and accounting, engineering, IT and manufacturing. Two factors that may be fueling the growing confidence among overall U.S. workers are the recent strengthening of both the stock market and residential property values," said Phyllis Finley, Executive Vice President at Randstad US.

"Office and administrative workers are playing a greater role in today's businesses. In fact, a recent New York Times article highlighted how office and administrative professionals are now 'expected to perform like managers,' especially if more companies cut their support staff. Furthermore, according to a survey from the International Association of Administrative Professionals, 52 percent of assistants said they supported three or more people. With such a robust job outlook for office and administrative workers, companies must focus on engagement and training efforts to retain the best and brightest employees as they continue to play an increasingly integral role in companies," said Finley.

Q2 2013, Survey Highlights

Office and Administrative Employee Confidence in the Strength of the Economy Rises in Q2

• Roughly three-in-10 (29%) office and administrative workers believe the economy is getting stronger, rising three percentage points from the previous quarter's reading.

Growing Percentages of Workers Believe More Jobs Are Available in the Second Quarter of 2013

• Nearly one-in-four (22%) office and administrative workers believe there are more jobs available, rising four percentage points from the first quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, nearly half (47%) of workers surveyed believe there are fewer jobs available, falling two percentage points from the previous quarter's readings.

Administrative Workers' Confidence in Ability to Find Jobs Rises in Q2

• When asked how optimistic they are in their ability to find employment, 39 percent of administrative workers indicate that they are confident they could find a job, rising four percentage points from the first quarter of 2013.

Administrative Workers' Confidence in Their Employers' Future Remains Virtually Unchanged

• Just over six-in-10 administrative workers (62%) feel confident in the future of their current employer, rising two percentage points from the previous quarter.

Nearly One-Third of Administrative Workers Likely to Job Search

• Thirty-one percent of administrative workers say they are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months, dropping one percentage point from 2013's first quarter reading.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad from April 1-3, May 7-9 and June 4-6 2013, among 3,626 adults ages 18 and older of which 427 are employed in office and administrative positions. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact             lesly.cardec@randstadusa.com.

About Randstad Office and Administration
Across the board, Randstad helps companies match the right people with the right jobs. We provide the expertise, the qualified talent pool and the dedication to make superior matches at a reasonable cost to companies. And we do it on the basis that best suits your needs. We make it our business to develop office staffing solutions that work—for you. Our exceptional resources allow us to fill an extensive range of general office and executive positions.

About Randstad US
Randstad US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad Holding nv, a $22.0 billion global provider of HR services. As the third largest staffing organization in the U.S., Randstad holds top positions in permanent placement, office and administrative, IT and accounting and finance. From professional services, commercial staffing, recruitment process outsourcing, to managed services and more, Randstad delivers a comprehensive range of temporary, temporary-to-hire, permanent placement and outsourced placement services. With its 5,660 employment experts, Randstad puts an average of nearly 100,000 people to work in the U.S. each week, through its network of more than 900 branches and client-dedicated locations.

Learn more at www.randstad.com and access Randstad's panoramic U.S. thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.

SOURCE Randstad