Survey Shows Modest Improvement in Hiring

Local companies plan to hire at a moderate pace during this year’s fourth quarter, according to a survey released by Manpower, Inc. The results came from the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana regional data of the company’s Employment Outlook Survey. At least 143 companies participated in the survey, with about two-thirds of those companies being located in the San Fernando Valley, said William Marzullo, the regional director for the company’s Los Angeles division. About 11 percent of companies that participated in the survey reported plans to hire more employees while 8 percent reported plans to reduce their payrolls. About 73 percent of the companies reported plans to maintain current staff levels, and 8 percent were uncertain of their hiring plans. “Employers expect a faster hiring pace compared to one year ago,” Marzullo said. The fourth-quarter outlook has produced more positive results than previous quarters. The outlook for the third quarter of this year projected 13 percent of employers would decrease staff levels and 71 percent of employers would maintain their levels. The outlook for the fourth quarter of 2009 projected 17 percent of employers would decrease staff levels and 66 percent would maintain their current levels. Industries that are expected to fare the best in hiring progress during the coming quarter include durable goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, information, professional and business services and education and health services. Industries where employers expected to reduce staffing levels include construction, transportation and utilities, financial activities and government. Areas where no change is expected are nondurable goods manufacturing and leisure and hospitality. Jessica Selva