Hiring to slow,
Manpower survey says

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By Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.com

The outlook for Honolulu's employment market remains soft through the end of the year, according to a poll of businesses by Manpower Inc.

In its quarterly employment outlook survey, Manpower found that while 14 percent of the companies it contacted said they were inclined to hire more people between October and December, 21 percent said they were preparing for fewer personnel. The majority, 65 percent, said they would maintain current staffing levels.

The results are not a surprise given the mainland's soft economy, said Doris Hannaford, Manpower's Honolulu area manager.

"It's still a state of uncertainty," she said. "The difference is people are waiting to see what happens."

Despite the uncertainty, Hannaford said the survey shows the employment outlook remains fairly bright for Hawaii.

"If I look at Hawaii firms overall, it shows a very stable picture," she said. "We still have retail sectors doing great. Consumer buying is up and we are going into Christmas so in the fourth quarter we'll see some seasonal employment."

But the findings are still a noticeable contrast to Manpower's 2000 year-end survey when 33 percent of businesses said they planned on adding workers. Only 3 percent intended to cut back.

For the fourth quarter of this year Manpower found that job opportunities are likely in transportation, public utilities and public administration. Some reductions are planned in construction, finance, insurance and real estate. The outlook is mixed for wholesale, retail trade and services, the survey found.

Nationwide, unemployment is expected to remain at historically low levels this year. Twenty-four percent of businesses plan further hiring while 11 percent expect staffing declines. The majority, 60 percent, anticipate no change, while 5 percent of companies say they are uncertain.

During the final quarter of 2000, 32 percent of employers nationwide said they would increase staff. Only 7 percent projected reductions while 57 percent predicted no change and 4 percent were undecided.