Illinois Employment Report: Employee Confidence Index Hits Record Low; Workers Significantly...

Illinois Employment Report: Employee Confidence Index Hits Record Low; Workers
Significantly More Concerned About Job Availability

CHICAGO, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Employee Confidence Index
reached an unprecedented low in March, dropping 11.4 points to 38.4, according
to the latest Spherion(R) Employment Report. The monthly survey of Illinois
workers, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation,
finds that more workers are concerned about the number of jobs available, the
economy and their personal employment situation. At the same time, more
workers indicated that they are likely to look for a new job in the next year.
Results from the Illinois Employment Report:

-- Seventy-four percent of workers believe the number of jobs available
has decreased, compared to 48 percent in February.

-- Nearly one-third (32 percent) of workers say they are not confident in
the future of their current employer, a 23 percent increase from nine
percent in the previous month.

-- Three-fourths of workers believe the economy is getting
weaker, compared to 62 percent in February.

"Despite the fact that Illinois has led all Midwestern states in job
growth since January 2004, workers' confidence levels hit a record low this
month," explained Jodie Wood, regional director of Spherion Staffing Services
in Illinois. "Workers appear to be shaken by the nation's sluggish economy and
slow job growth despite the relatively steady Illinois economy. In spite of
this doubt, our report reveals that 42 percent of Illinois workers are likely
to look for a new job in the next year. With this large percentage of the
workforce showing interest in a job change, it's critical for employers to
keep their retention plans at the forefront of their business initiatives."
Link to full Report & Methodology:
http://spherion.mediaroom.com/pressroom/index.php?s=43&item=562

About Spherion
Spherion Corporation is a leading recruiting and staffing company that
provides integrated solutions to meet the evolving needs of companies and job
candidates. As an industry pioneer for more than 60 years, Spherion has
sourced, screened and placed millions of individuals in temporary,
temp-to-hire and full-time jobs.
With approximately 700 locations in the United States and Canada, Spherion
delivers innovative workforce solutions that improve business performance.
Spherion provides its services to more than 8,000 customers, from Fortune 500
companies to a wide range of small and mid-size organizations. Employing more
than 300,000 people annually through its network, Spherion is one of North
America's largest employers. Spherion operates under the following brands:
Spherion Staffing Services Group for administrative, clerical and light
industrial workers; Technisource for technology professionals and solutions;
The Mergis Group for accounting and finance and other professional positions;
Todays Staffing for specialty administrative personnel; and Spherion
Recruitment Process Outsourcing. To learn more, visit www.spherion.com .
SOURCE Spherion Corporation

Cheryl Hilpert of Spherion Corporation, +1-800-422-3819,
cherylhilpert@spherion.com