Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2007

8/9/2019 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2007

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Manpower

EmploymentOutlook SurveyUnited States

A Manpower Research Report

Q1

20

07


2/24

Contents

United States Employment Outlook 1Regional ComparisonsSector Comparisons

Global Employment Outlook 13International Comparisons Americas

International Comparisons Asia Pacific

International Comparisons EMEA

About the Survey 20

About Manpower 21

Q1/0

7Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States


3/24

More than 14,000 interviewshave been conducted withemployers across theUnited States to measureanticipated employmenttrends between Januaryand March 2007. All

participants were asked,How do you anticipatetotal employment at yourlocation to change in thethree months to the endof March 2007 ascompared to the current

quarter?

Among the U.S. employers surveyed, 23% foresee an

increase in hiring activity, and 11% expect a decline instaff levels during the first quarter of 2007. Sixty percent

anticipate no change in the hiring pace, while 6% are

undecided about their January March hiring plans.

For more than two years, U.S. employers have

consistently reported steady hiring plans. Although the

first quarter job forecast is similar to last quarter and last

year at this time, a subtle downward shift has emerged.

While it is too early to note if this is a trend, this marks

two consecutive quarters of more cautious hiring plans.

Please note that throughout this report, the figure used

in all graphs is the Net Employment Outlook. This

figure is derived by taking the percentage of employers

anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting

from this the percentage of employers that expect to

see a decrease in employment at their location in the

next quarter.

United States Employment Outlook

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Net Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Increase Decrease No Change Dont KnowNet Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

Adjusted

% % % % % %

1stQuarter2006 23 10 61 6 13 20

2ndQuarter2006 30 6 58 6 24 21

3rdQuarter2006 31 6 57 6 25 21

4thQuarter2006 28 8 58 6 20 20

1st Quarter 2007 23 11 60 6 12 19

The results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in the United States include Puerto Rico.

1


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Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States

The Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail

Trade and Services sectors have all reported consistently

healthy hiring expectations for eight or more consecutive

quarters, and January to March of 2007 is no exception.

Employers remain confident and foresee little change in

the hiring pace compared to the fourth quarter. Hiring

is expected to improve slightly in the Education and

Public Administration sectors, and Mining employers

foresee a more notable, albeit still modest, improvement

in the employment landscape.

The seasonally adjusted survey results show that in four

of the 10 industry sectors surveyed, employers expect

weaker hiring activity in the first three months of 2007

versus the final quarter of 2006. Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities and

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate employers report a slightdecline in the anticipated hiring pace. A more modest

dip in the hiring forecast is apparent in the Construction

sector, where employer optimism has steadily faded for

four consecutive quarters.

The quarter-over-quarter hiring outlook for the four U.S.

regions is consistent in the Northeast, Midwest and South.

Employers in the West are slightly less optimistic than

they were in the final months of 2006. Compared with last

year at this time, employers in the South and West have

slightly weaker hiring plans. Job prospects in the Midwest

are expected to be about the same, while a brighter

jobs picture is predicted for the Northeast.

Employer optimism is most apparent in the South, while

companies in the Midwest are the most reserved about

their hiring plans in the new year.

A year-over-year comparison reveals a range of

employer confidence trends. Employers are slightly

more inclined to increase payrolls in the Education,

Services and Public Administration sectors. However,

Mining employers are most optimistic, with more

aggressive hiring plans and the strongest overall

outlook among the 10 industry sectors surveyed. Job

market stability is expected in the Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities and

Wholesale/Retail Trade sectors. Construction employers

are significantly less optimistic about hiring than they

were at the beginning of 2006. Employers in

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Durable Goods

Manufacturing also expect to add staff at a slower pace

than they did one year ago.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

AdjustedIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

% % % %%%

Construction 18 16 61 25 18

Education 19 4 71 15 176

Finance,Insurance & RealEstate 21 6 67 6 15 15

Manufacturing Durables 26 12 56 6 14 18ManufacturingNon-Durables 22 8 64 6 1814

Mining 32 6 59 3 2926

PublicAdministration 21 6 66 15 187

Services 26 7 60 7 19 23

Transportation & PublicUtilities 22 8 63 7 14 17

Wholesale & RetailTrade 23 17 54 6 6 22

Attheoverallnationallevel,themarginoferroronthedatais +/0.8%.

Net Employment SeasonallyIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

Outlook Adjusted

% % % %

Midwest

Northeast 23 10 60 7 13 19

25 9 60 6 16 22

20 12 63 5 8 17

South

West 28 12 52 8 16 21

% %


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Regional ComparisonsMidwest +8 (17)%

Among employers surveyed in the Midwest, 20% predict

improved employment activity and 12% foresee areduction in payrolls for the first three months of 2007.

The result is a Net Employment Outlook of+8%.

Seasonally adjusted results reveal that confidence

among Midwest employers is expected to remain

steady and consistent with levels reported for the last

two years. This is also the fourth straight quarter that

Midwest employers have reported the weakest hiring

intentions among the U.S. regions.

Employers in four industry sectors expect little change

in the hiring pace as they transition into 2007.

This includes the Mining, Wholesale/Retail Trade,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Services sectors.

Employers in four of the 10 industry sectors surveyed

are less confident about hiring in the first quarter than

they were from October to December. Those industry

sectors are Construction, Durable and Non-Durable

Goods Manufacturing and Transportation/Public

Utilities. In contrast, employers in Public Administration

foresee a slight upturn in employment activity, and

Education employers are decidedly more confident

about hiring than they were at the end of 2006.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %

All Industries 20 12 63 5 8 17

Construction 13 21 62 4 -8 16

Education 216 77 5 14 17


ManufacturingDurables 24 13 59 4 11 15

ManufacturingNon-Durables 20 9 66 5 11 17

Mining 0 0 100 0 70

PublicAdministration 17 8 70 5 9 12

Services 22 7 64 7 15 19

Transportation & PublicUtilities 19 649 8 10 13

Wholesale & RetailTrade 18 19 58 5 -1 20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07Net Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The Midwest Region comprises the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South

Dakota, Wisconsin.


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Northeast +13 (19)%

In the Northeast, 23% of employers intend to increase

the hiring pace, while 10% expect to decrease staff

levels, which results in a Net Employment Outlook of

+13%. Seasonally adjusted data suggests that thehiring pace in the new year is expected to be healthy,

as it was in the fourth quarter, and slightly improved

from a year ago.

More than half of the 10 industry sectors surveyed in

the Northeast report little change in job prospects from

the fourth quarter of 2006 to first quarter of 2007.

Those sectors include Mining, Durable and Non-Durable

Goods Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities,

Wholesale/Retail Trade and Services. Public

Administration employers report slightly more positive

hiring intentions, and Finance/Insurance/Real Estate

employers foresee more robust staffing activity. The

most notable shift occurs in the Construction sector,

where employers are considerably more optimistic

about hiring gains.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %

All Industries 23 10 60 7 13 19Construction 18 15 62 5 3 20

Education 917 68 6 8 8




Mining 25 0 75 0 1825


Services 23 7 62 8 16 21



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2530

The Northeast Region comprises the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,

Rhode Island, Vermont.


7/245

South +16 (22)%

Twenty-five percent of employers surveyed in the South

intend to increase the hiring pace during the first quarter

of 2007, while 9% expect to decrease staff levels, which

adds up to a Net Employment Outlook of+16%. Whenseasonal variations are removed from the data, the

survey results show that employer confidence is edging

down slightly from fourth quarter and one year ago.

However, employers in the South are the most upbeat

about hiring compared with the other U.S. regions.

Among the industry sectors surveyed, there is a three-

way split in a quarter-over-quarter comparison of the

survey results. Employers in three industry sectors

expect a cooler hiring climate, including Construction,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Services. Those in

the Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing,

Transportation/Public Utilities and Public Administration

sectors foresee little change in job prospects, and

Mining, Wholesale/Retail Trade and Education

employers report more promising hiring plans.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %


Construction 22 10 64 4 12 23

Education 423 66 7 19 22




Mining 30 9 57 4 2621


Services 28 7 58 7 21 24



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The South Region comprises the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,

Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.


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West +16 (21)%

Twenty-eight percent of employers surveyed in the

West plan to add jobs, while 12% expect to reduce

staff levels. The result is a Net Employment Outlook of

+16%. Seasonally adjusted data reveals that the slowand steady decline of employer confidence in the job

market continues for a third consecutive quarter.

Among the industry sectors surveyed, half report

more subdued hiring expectations for the new year as

compared to fourth quarter of 2006. The five industry

sectors are Construction, Transportation/Public Utilities,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Durable Goods

Manufacturing and Education. Job seekers are likely to

encounter no changes in the Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing and Wholesale/Retail Trade sectors,

while those looking for work in Public Administration,

Services and Mining can expect to encounter a more

active job scene.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %


Construction 17 23 53 7 -6 11Education 521 66 8 16 15




Mining 50 0 50 0 5350


Services 34 8 50 8 26 30



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-5

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5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The West Region comprises the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,

Washington, Wyoming.


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Sector ComparisonsAmong the 10 industry sectors analyzed, Mining

employers are the most confident about job prospects

for the first quarter of 2007, according to the seasonally

adjusted data. A strong hiring pace is expected in

the Services and Wholesale/Retail Trade sectors.

Although employment activity is positive, employers in

Construction, Education, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate,

Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Public

Administration and Transportation/Public Utilities expect

hiring plans to be somewhat more modest, as compared

with the other sectors.

Construction

Education

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Manufacturing Durables

Manufacturing Non-Durables

Mining

Public Administration

Services

Transportation & Public Utilities

Wholesale & Retail Trade

15

18

15

17

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2629

1518

19

17

23

622

18

14

14

14

18

15

Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook

2


10/248


Construction +2 (18)%

According to seasonally adjusted survey results, the

upcoming quarter is likely to bring an ebb to the hiring

pace in the Construction sector. Employer confidence

takes a modest dip from the fourth quarter of 2006 andis significantly lower than it was one year ago.

During the first quarter of 2007, Construction employers

in the South are most optimistic about the employment

landscape, while those in the West express the most

conservative hiring sentiments.

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Education +15 (17)%

Education employers are optimistic about the job market

as they look to the first quarter of 2007. According to

seasonally adjusted survey results, hiring conditions are

expected to improve slightly when compared with the

fourth quarter and a year ago at this time.

Hiring plans are most promising in the South, while

employers in the Northeast expect to take a more

cautious approach to hiring than those in the other

three regions.


11/249

0

25

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Finance, Insurance &Real Estate+15 (15)%

The January to March period marks the second

consecutive quarter of declining confidence among

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate employers, who revealed

the weakest hiring plans among the 10 industry sectors

surveyed. When seasonal variations are removed from

the data, employers expect the hiring pace to slow

down slightly from the fourth quarter, while the year-

over-year comparison shows a modest downturn in

staffing plans.

For the first quarter of 2007, employers in the Northeast

are most likely to add staff, while those in the West

report the weakest job prospects.

Manufacturing Durable Goods+14 (18)%

According to seasonally adjusted survey results, a

change is predicted for job seekers in the Durable Goods

Manufacturing sector. The hiring pace is expected to

slow, with employer optimism down slightly from the

fourth quarter and one year ago.

Employers in the South report the strongest job

prospects, while those in the Midwest foresee the most

sluggish hiring pace.


12/2410


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-10

35

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2530

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Manufacturing Non-Durable Goods+14 (18)%

Non-Durable Goods Manufacturers are unmoved in their

hiring expectations, according to seasonally adjusted

survey data. This marks three consecutive quarters of

identical employer confidence levels. Hiring plans are

on par with those issued in the fourth quarter and last

year at this time.

Regional hiring patterns show that employers in the

South and West expect to offer the most promising job

prospects, while those in the Northeast have the

weakest hiring intentions.

Mining +26 (29)%

For the January to March period, Mining employers

report the strongest hiring plans among the 10 industry

sectors surveyed. Seasonally adjusted data indicates

that employers foresee a healthier hiring pattern than in

the fourth quarter, and significantly more employment

activity than they did in the early months of 2006.

By a wide margin, employers in the West report the

strongest hiring intentions, while those in the Midwest

are more reserved about staffing than any other region.


13/2411

-10

30

-5

0

510

15

20

25

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Public Administration +15 (18)%

Employer confidence in the Public Administration sector

continues its steady climb during the first quarter of 2007,

according to seasonally adjusted survey data. The hiring

pace is expected to be up slightly from the previous quarterand one year ago.

Those seeking Public Administration work are likely to find

the most employment activity in the West, while those in

the Northeast are expected to face the most challenges

due to weaker employer confidence levels.

Services +19 (23)%

According to seasonally adjusted survey results,

Services employers plan to maintain a steady hiring

pace during the first three months of 2007. Hiring plans

are identical to those reported last quarter, and slightlyimproved from one year ago.

The strongest hiring activity in the Services sector is

expected in the West, while employers in the Midwest

report the weakest hiring plans.


14/2412


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


-15

35

-10-505

1015202530

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07


Transportation &Public Utilities+14 (17)%

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Transportation/PublicUtilities employers report less optimism regarding

employment in the new year. A slight drop in hiring

activity is expected over fourth quarter, although

employment expectations are consistent with those

reported last year at this time.

Among the regions, employers in the South report the

strongest hiring intentions, while those in the Midwest

are least likely to add staff.

Wholesale &Retail Trade +6 (22)%

Wholesale/Retail Trade employers expect the hiring

momentum to remain steady as they enter 2007, according

to seasonally adjusted data. The first quarter employment

outlook is similar to estimates from the fourth quarter and

one year ago. This marks three years of consistently

healthy hiring plans in the Wholesale/Retail Trade sector.

The strongest hiring activity is expected in the South, while

employers in the Midwest are more reserved about their

staffing plans.


15/2413

Nearly 50,000 employers have been interviewed across

27 countries and territories to measure anticipatedemployment trends* between January and March 2007.

Employers in all of the 27 countries and territories

Manpower surveyed expect to add to their workforces

in Quarter 1 2007. Of the countries and territories

where year-over-year data is available, 20 of 23 are

reporting stronger hiring expectations compared to

last year at this time. Hiring activity is also expected

to improve in 14 countries and territories compared

to three months ago.

Employment prospects are strongest in Peru,Singapore, India, Argentina (which joined the survey this

quarter) and South Africa. While the weakest hiring

activity is forecast in Italy, Germany and France,

employers in all three of these countries anticipate

improved job prospects compared to Quarter 1 2006.

On a regional basis, employers in the Americas continue

to report positive Net Employment Outlooks, comparableto those reported 12 months ago. Employers in Asia

Pacific are also upbeat about hiring, with those in

Singapore and Japan reporting their most optimistic

Net Employment Outlooks since the establishment of

the survey in these countries.

In the Europe, Middle East &Africa (EMEA) region,

employers in all 13 countries surveyed are reporting

positive hiring activity for Quarter 1 2007. Meanwhile,

employers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the

Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland are reporting theirmost optimistic Quarter 1 Outlooks since the survey

began in these countries.

* Comments in this section are based on seasonally adjusted datawhere available.

Global Employment Outlook

Americas

Asia Pacific

Australia

ChinaHongKong

Japan

India

New Zealand

Singapore

Taiwan

Net Employment Outlook


Quarter 1 2007

Quarter 1 2007

Quarter 4 2006

Quarter 4 2006

24

%

%

27(28)1

17(24)1

26(27)1

29 (31)1

42

36(33)1

14

18

%

%

24(24)1

18 (25)1

25 (24)1

18 (18)1

39

44(46)1

15

18 (21)1

20(19)1

48

3(18)1

17(19)1

52

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q4 2006 to Q1 2007

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q4 2006 to Q1 2007

-6

-3(-4)1

1(1)1

-1(-3)1

-11(-13)1

-3

8 (13)1

1

6

4(4)1

3(4)1

1(1)1

2(2)1

12

35 (35)1

-7

Yr on Yr Change

Q1 2006 to Q1 2007

Yr on Yr Change

Q1 2006 to Q1 2007

Quarter 1 2006

%

Quarter 1 2006

%

20(20)1

22

12

27

16(16)1

15 (21)1

24(23)1

9 (11)1

2(17)1

17(18)1CostaRica 25 26 1

United States 20 (20)1 12 (19)1 -8 (-1)1 -1 (-1)113 (20)1

Canada

Mexico

Peru

-15 (-3)1

-3(0)1

4

1(1)1 35 Argentina

0(1)1


16/2414


EMEA*

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Ireland

Netherlands

Norway

Spain

UK

Italy

Switzerland

Sweden


Quarter 1 2007Quarter 4 2006

%

11(13)1

9 (9)1

4(2)1

5 (8)1

9 (6)1

8

15 (17)1

12(14)1

4(6)1

7(11)1

11(10)1

2(5)1

%

6(11)1

10(12)1

3(5)1

2(4)1

6(7)1

11

21(23)1

9 (10)1

13(16)1

8 (12)1

12(15)1

1(3)1

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q4 2006 to Q1 2007

-5 (-2)1

1(3)1

-1(3)1

-3(-4)1

-3(1)1

3

6(6)1

-3(-4)1

9 (10)1

1(1)1

1(5)1

-1(-2)1

9 (10)1

2(3)1

3(4)1

6(5)1

3(4)1

9

10(10)1

-2(-1)1

5 (5)1

6(7)1

3(3)1

3(3)1

Yr on Yr Change

Q1 2006 to Q1 2007

*EMEAEurope,MiddleEastandAfrica.

1.NumberinparenthesesistheNetEmploymentOutlookwhenadjustedtoremoveseasonalvariations.

2

Quarter 1 2006

%

-3(1)1

8 (9)1

0(1)1

-4(-1)1

11(13)1

3(3)1

11(11)1

8 (11)1South Africa 26 31 5

2(5)1

9 (12)1

-2(0)1

Asia Pacific31%

EMEA24%

Americas45%

Survey Respondents by Region

Research for the first quarter 2007 Manpower

Employment Outlook Survey involved surveying nearly

50,000 human resources directors and senior hiring

managers from public and private organizationsworldwide. 45% of respondents came from six

countries in the Americas; 31% from eight countries

and territories across Asia Pacific, and 24% from

13 countries in EMEA.


17/2415

International Comparisons AmericasOver 22,000 interviews have been conducted across

Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and theUnited States to measure employment prospects for

Quarter 1 2007. The data shows continued solid

employment prospects across the region with employers

in all six countries indicating healthy hiring plans for the

first three months of the year.

Employers in Argentina were surveyed for the first time

this quarter and reported one of the most optimistic Net

Employment Outlooks globally. In Mexico, employers

reported their most optimistic Quarter 1 Net Employment

Outlook since the survey began there in Quarter 3 2002.

Employers in Canada and the U.S. are anticipating a

continued healthy hiring pace similar to Quarter 1 2006.

Meanwhile, employers in Peru are considerably more

optimistic than their regional counterparts about adding

to their payrolls in the next three months.

ArgentinajoinedthesurveyinQ12007.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment Outlook

Argentina50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

Canada

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

CostaRicajoinedthesurveyinQ32006.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


PerujoinedthesurveyinQ22006.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Costa Rica50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Mexico

Peru50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


USA


18/24


19/2417

Japan

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook Seasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

New ZealandjoinedthesurveyinQ22004.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

TaiwanjoinedthesurveyinQ22005.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


New Zealand

Singapore Taiwan


20/2418


International Comparisons EMEANearly 12,000 interviews have been conducted with

employers across 13 EMEA countries to measureanticipated employment trends for Quarter 1 2007.

Employers in the EMEA region are anticipating varying

degrees of positive hiring activity for the next three months,

but all intend to add to their existing workforces. South

African employers are reporting the strongest hiring

expectations in the EMEA region, while confidence is

stronger in 11 of the 12 European countries surveyed

compared to Quarter 1 2006. Notably, employers in

Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain

and Switzerland reported their most optimistic Quarter 1

Outlooks on record. In addition, Swiss employers are

reporting their strongest hiring intentions since the

survey began there in Quarter 3 2005. Similarly, Net

Employment Outlooks also have improved considerably

in Austria and Ireland compared to Quarter 1 2006.

The weakest hiring activity in the region is forecast for

Italy, but encouragingly, employers there reported their

most optimistic Outlook for the first three months of the

year since 2004. In Germany, employers reported, for

the first time since the establishment of the survey,

consecutive positive Net Employment Outlooks.

Meanwhile, the Quarter 1 Outlook from Norwegian

employers is the weakest in two years.

Ireland Italy50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20Seasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Austria Belgium

France Germany


21/24


22/2420


About the SurveyThe Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted

quarterly to measure employers intentions to increase or

decrease the number of employees in their workforces during

the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of

employment activity in the world. Various factors underpin the

success of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey:

Unique: It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area

of focus.

Projective:The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the

most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the

world, asking employers to forecast employment over the

next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on

retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past.

Focused: For more than four decades, the survey has derivedall of its information from a single question.

Independent:The survey is conducted with a representative

sample of employers from throughout the countries in which it

is conducted. The survey participants are not derived from

Manpowers customer base.

Robust:The survey is based on interviews with nearly

50,000 public and private employers across 27 countries and

territories to measure anticipated employment trends each

quarter.This sample allows for analysis to be performed across

specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.

MethodologyThe Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted

using a validated methodology, in accordance with the highest

standards in market research. The research team for the

27 countries and territories where the survey is currently

conducted includes Manpowers Market Intelligence team;

the Organization Research and Analysis Division of Right

Management Consultants an independent operating division

of Manpower Inc.; NOP World, Grupo IDM and DATUM

Research. The survey has been structured to be representative

of each national economy. The margin of error for all national,

regional and global data is not greater than +/- 4.3%.

In the United States, the national survey is conducted by

Manpowers North American Market Intelligence Team and

includes 14,000 employers. With this number of interviews,

the margin of error for the United States survey is +/- 0.8%.

Survey QuestionAll employers participating in the survey worldwide are asked

the same question, How do you anticipate total employment

at your location to change in the three months to the end of

March 2007 as compared to the current quarter?

Net Employment OutlookThroughout this report, we use the term Net Employment

Outlook. This figure is derived by taking the percentage of

employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and

subtracting from this the percentage of employers that expect to

see a decrease in employment at their location in the next

quarter. The result of this calculation is the Net Employment

Outlook.

Seasonal AdjustmentSeasonal adjustments have been applied to the data for

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany,

Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,

New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden,

United Kingdom and the United States to provide additional

insight into the survey data. These adjustments make it

possible to review the data without the employment fluctuations

that normally occur at the same time each year, thus providing

a clearer picture of the data over time. Manpower intends to

add seasonal adjustments to the data for other countries in

the future, as more historical data is compiled.


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History of the Survey1962 1st generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

1966 Manpowers UK operation launches the equivalent of

the United States survey, naming the report the QuarterlySurvey of Employment Prospects. The survey adopts

the same forward-looking research format as the United

States survey and is the first of its kind in Europe.

1976 2nd generation of Manpowers Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

Research methodology is updated to evolve with

advancements in the field of market research.

2002 Manpower UKs Quarterly Survey of Employment

Prospects is updated to adopt an enhanced research

methodology. Manpowers operations in Mexico and

Ireland launch the survey in their respective countries.

2003 3rd generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey is launched, expanding the program to a total

18 countries and territories worldwide: Australia,

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong

Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,

Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

and United States.

2004 Manpower operations in New Zealand launch the

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

2005 Manpower operations in China, India, Switzerland and

Taiwan launch the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey.

2006 Manpower operations in Costa Rica, Peru and South

Africa joined the survey program. Surveys in Australia,

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland,

Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore,

Spain and Sweden add seasonally adjusted data in the

third quarter.

2007 Manpower operations in Argentina launch the Manpower

Employment Outlook Survey. The survey in New Zealand

adds seasonally adjusted data in the first quarter.

About Manpower Inc.Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the

employment services industry; creating and delivering services

that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work.

The $16 billion company offers employers a range of servicesfor the entire employment and business cycle including

permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee

assessment and selection; training; outplacement;

outsourcing and consulting. Manpowers worldwide network

of 4,400 offices in 73 countries and territories enables the

company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year,

including small and medium size enterprises in all industry

sectors, as well as the worlds largest multinational corporations.

The focus of Manpowers work is on raising productivity

through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across

their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their

core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under fivebrands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson

Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower

Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.

About Manpower USAIn the United States, Manpower offers businesses a range

of HR services, in addition to providing administrative,

industrial and contact center personnel. Under the

Manpower Professional brand, the company placescontract professionals on assignment in areas such as

information technology, scientific, f inance, engineering and

telecommunications. More information about Manpowers

US operation can be found at www.us.manpower.com.


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Manpower Inc., 5301 N. Ironwood Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217, USA

Tel: 414 961 1000

www.us.manpower.com

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Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q1, 2007

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