N.Y. Employee Confidence Index down 6.6 points to 53.8

The New York Employee Confidence Index fell 6.6 points to 53.8 in November after increasing steadily over the past two months, according to the Spherion Employment Report. The monthly survey of New York workers, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Spherion Corporation, indicates that despite a dip in overall confidence, workers still appear to be optimistic about the future of their current employer.

Results from the New York Employment Report:

• Sixty-one percent of workers are confident in the future of their current employer, virtually unchanged from 62 percent in October.
• Down from 65 percent in October, 59 percent of New York workers now report confidence in their ability to find a new job.
• Fewer workers are optimistic about job availability. Specifically, 19 percent believe that more jobs are available, a decrease of 10 percentage points from October.

"The perception of a weakened economy and a less robust job market may be contributing to employees' rationale for remaining loyal to their current employers. Despite the drop in overall confidence, the job opportunities for top talent are very attractive right now, especially in the professional services arena where we have seen salaries increasing," said John Gramer, New York regional managing director of Spherion Professional Services. "With New York's low unemployment rate and steady month-over-month job creation, the job market will continue to sway in the job-seekers favor heading into 2007."

Link to full Report & Methodology: http://www.spherion.com/press/employment_report/NY_employment_report_11-06.jsp