More accounting and finance workers are expecting hiring, though the sector did express some concerns regarding personal finances and job satisfaction, according to the Hudson Employment Index.
The index for workers in the industry rose two points, to 110.8, while the national average increased 1.5 points, to 107.7. A year ago, the reading for accounting and finance workers was only 103.7. The index measures employee confidence monthly in a survey of approximately 9,000 workers nationwide across all industries.
The survey also revealed that w hile 25 percent of employees expected lay-offs in March (a record-high), the concern leveled off in April, with 20 percent of workers expecting cuts. The number of workers reporting their organizations had plans to hire, rose from 31 percent in March, to 37 percent in April.
While three-quarters (74 percent) of workers were happy with their jobs in March, only 70 percent made that same claim in April, and 40 percent indicated that their finances were getting worse, the highest percent to make this claim since last year.
"Rising energy prices and interest rates may overshadow the optimism employees have in the labor market in the coming months," said Steve Wolfe, executive vice president, Hudson-North America, in a statement. "While we don't expect worker confidence to fall dramatically, we are likely to see a softening as people struggle with greater day-to-day financial strain."
