More employers in Iowa’s largest cities plan to hire workers, rather than reduce staff, in the first quarter of 2009. That’s according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released today (Tuesday). Manpower spokesperson Michael Lynch says the news in Iowa is good – especially considering the overall U.S. outlook that shows 16% of employers plan to increase staff, while 13% plan reductions.
"The Midwest in general is looking fairly positive by comparison with other sectors of the country," Lynch said. Employers in Iowa’s capital city turned in the fifth strongest survey in the country. Lynch says the Des Moines/West Des Moines market shows a net employment gain of 16-percent.
The survey indicates 21% of the employers in the Des Moines area plan to add workers, while just 5% expect to reduce their payrolls. "The net gain there is fairly substantial and actually ranks among the highest in the country," Lynch said. The Lafayette, Louisiana market secured the top ranking in the U.S. for an anticipated employment gain of 25%. In western Iowa, 70% of the employers in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area expect to maintain their current staff levels between January and March.
"It looks like employers (in Omaha/Council Bluffs) expect to do a little bit of hiring," Lynch said. "For those companies surveyed, 15-percent plan on increasing staff while 13% plan on decreasing." Companies in eastern Iowa also plan to hire additional staff in the first quarter. The Davenport area has a net employment outlook of six-percent.
Lynch says 18% of the employers in the Quad Cities plan to hire more employees, while 12% expect cuts. Despite the continuing struggles with flood recovery, the Cedar Rapids market posted some positive figures.
Lynch says 21% of the companies interviewed in Cedar Rapids plan to hire more employees, while 11%t expect to reduce their payrolls. Lynch says many of the Iowa companies that are planning to eliminate workers during the first quarters are in construction and leisure and hospitality.