Survey reveals manufacturers’ hiring plans for 2009

TORONTO, Ont. – Canadian employers expect a mild hiring climate for the January to March period of 2009, according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

The survey of more than 1,800 Canadian employers reveals that 16
percent expect to increase their payrolls in the first quarter of 2009,
while nine percent anticipate cutbacks, for a net employment outlook of
seven percent. Of those polled, 72 percent expect no change and three
percent are unsure of their staffing intentions for the upcoming
quarter.
With seasonal variations removed from the survey data, the net
employment outlook climbs to 18 percent. This is a four percentage
point increase from the previous quarter, indicating a hopeful hiring
climate for the first quarter of 2009.
"This quarter’s net employment outlook indicates that the steady hiring
climate experienced in the previous quarter will continue into the
first quarter of 2009," says Lori Rogers, vice-president of operations
for Manpower Canada. "Despite the global slowdown, seasonally adjusted
data reveals employers in Canada will continue to expand their payrolls
and at a slightly stronger pace than in the previous quarters."
Employers in the manufacturing (non-durable goods) sector report a
seasonally adjusted net employment outlook of 13 percent, indicating an
upbeat hiring climate for the first quarter of 2009. This is a three
percent increase from the previous quarter and a four percent increase
from the same time last year. Reporting a seasonally adjusted net
employment outlook of nine percent, employers in the manufacturing
(durable goods) sector anticipate a modest hiring climate for the
upcoming quarter. This quarter’s outlook is a four percentage point
decrease from the previous quarter and a five percentage point decline
from the same time last year.
To view the results of the survey, visit www.manpower.com/press/meos.cfm.