Worker confidence fell in Washington, DC, as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) descended 1.3 points to 108.1 in April. A decrease in hiring expectations and concern over job loss contributed to the fall. The city’s latest measure of worker confidence is down substantially from last April, when DC’s Index registered 118.4. The composite Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Confidence among manufacturing workers dropped in April as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 4.4 points to 94.4. Increased worry over job loss and decreased job satisfaction drove the decline. The latest reading is virtually unchanged from last April’s reading of 95.1. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Rising for the third consecutive month, the Hudson Employment Index (SM) for Dallas climbed 5.9 points to a record high of 123.9 in April. The city’s latest measure of worker confidence is dramatically higher than one year ago, when it was just 102.1. In contrast, the composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
Boston workers’ confidence took another hit this April as the city’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 3.1 points to 94.2. Heightened financial concerns contributed to the second consecutive decline in the monthly measure of worker confidence. Boston’s latest Index is nearly 10 points shy of its April 2006 reading of 103.7. The composite Index, which is based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers nationwide, also fell 1.5 points in April to 107.5.
Confidence among workers in the legal sector jumped in April as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) increased 9.9 points to 123.0.
Confidence among IT professionals skyrocketed in April, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) jumped 12.9 points to 122.6. An increase in expected hiring, decrease in expected layoffs and greater job satisfaction drove the rise. The latest reading is also up 12.7 points from last April’s reading of 109.9. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across all sectors, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Confidence among Texas workers waned, as the state’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) dropped 5.7 points to 125.6 in April. A decrease in job satisfaction coupled with worsened financial sentiments drove the fall. The latest reading is up from last April’s Index of 119.0. The national Index, based on responses from approximately 9,000 workers across the country, fell 1.5 points to 107.5 in April.
Worker confidence edged lower in April, as the Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 1.5 points to 107.5. Despite the decline, the April figure is among the highest from the past year. Financial concerns and lower levels of job satisfaction triggered the drop.
Economic confidence among small business owners decreased in April, driven largely by a deteriorating outlook on economic conditions for their businesses, rising insecurity about the U.S. economy and increased cash flow issues, according to surveys conducted for this month’s Discover® Small Business Watch (SM).
Employers seem to appreciate their employees' need for flexibility, as more than three-quarters (78 percent) of the work force rates their employer favorably when it comes to allowing them to take extra time for personal matters.
Americans grew more pessimistic about their personal level of financial security in April, as the COUNTRY Financial Security Index slipped 0.8 points to 69.4, down from 70.2 in February.
Looking at the opposite perspective, 52% believe that tax cuts help the economy while 21% believe that tax cuts hurt. Republicans, by a 68% to 15% margin, believe that tax cuts help the economy. Democrats are more evenly divided—37% of Nancy Pelosi’s party believe that tax cuts help while 28% say they hurt and 19% say they have no impact.
Half (50%) of American adults believe that those who earn twice as much as they do pay less than twice as much in taxes. Just 7% believe that those who earn more pay more than their pro rata share while 19% believe that those who earn twice as much pay twice as much. Twenty-four percent (24%) are not sure.
According to the Rasmussen Consumer Index for the region released today by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, consumer economic confidence dropped more than seven points to 114.1 last month, from 121.2 at the end of last year. The decline was fueled by an 8 percent increase in the number of people who think the US economy is getting worse.
After cooling in February, worker confidence among accounting and finance workers jumped in March, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) rose 8.1 points to 121.6. Increased job satisfaction and a decrease in expected layoffs drove the rise.
Worker confidence remained virtually unchanged for African-American workers, while Hispanic workers’ confidence fell in March. The monthly Hudson Employment Index (SM) for African-Americans inched up 0.5 points to 94.5.
The Hudson Employment Index (SM) for healthcare workers remained virtually unchanged from February’s reading of 110.8, coming in at 111.1. Improved job satisfaction was offset by more pessimistic sentiments around personal finances.
Confidence among IT professionals decreased in March, as the group’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) fell 2.6 points to 109.7. Less expected hiring and a decrease in job satisfaction drove the decline. The latest reading is also down 5.3 points from last March’s reading of 115.0.
Confidence among workers in the legal sector dropped in March as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) slid 6.8 points to 113.1. The decline was primarily a result of being less satisfied with their job and worsened sentiments about their financial situation.
Confidence among manufacturing workers rose for the second consecutive month, as the sector’s Hudson Employment Index (SM) increased 4.3 points in March to 98.8. Increased job satisfaction coupled with fewer job loss concerns drove the uptick.
