According to a poll conducted by Manpower Inc., 27 percent of all employers expect to hire new workers in the third quarter. Nine percent expect staffing decreases, 59 percent intend no change, and 5 percent are undecided. In the same quarter of last year, 35 percent anticipated additions, 5 percent foresaw decreases, 55 percent planned no changes, and 5 percent were uncertain.
Hiring activity will be particularly weak in manufacturing. Only 24 percent of durable goods manufacturers plan to add workers in the third quarter, and 15 percent plan to cut staff. The situation is not much better for manufacturers of nondurable goods. Only 23 percent of those companies will hire workers next quarter, and 12 percent will decrease their payrolls.