UK employers still hiring despite threat of downturn

UK employers are still hiring despite a predicted downturn
in recruitment, according to the Manpower’s quarterly survey of employment
prospects.

More than a quarter of food and drink employers expect to
take on more staff in the third quarter of 2001, while only 7 per cent expect
to reduce their staffing levels.

However, retail is the strongest sector, with 40 per cent of
employers expecting to take on more staff in the period July-September, while
only 5 per cent plan to decrease staffing levels.

Public healthcare and public building both predict job
increases of 35 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.

“UK businesses are still saying they need more staff, but
are more cautious than they have been over the last six surveys – and certainly
less bullish than last quarter, when the employment outlook bucked a downward
trend in the US,” said Iain Herbertson, Manpower’s managing director.

The survey questioned 2000 company board directors, general
managers and company secretaries across the UK.

www.manpower.co.uk

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