Jobs in Ft Lauderdale Add to Worker Confidence

The availability of jobs in Ft Lauderdale and throughout the State of Florida is helping workers to become more confident.

The most recent Spherion Employment Report found that the Florida Employee Confidence Index increased by 5.9 points to 49.4 during December 2009. This is the highest level the index has reached during the last 12 months.

One of the reasons for the increase in confidence, the report found, is that fewer workers believe the economy is getting weaker. Specifically, only 27 percent of workers think the economy is getting weaker, which is a 17 percent decrease from November.

Another reason is that more workers are optimistic about job availability. About 60 percent of workers believe there are fewer jobs available, a decrease from the 81 percent who believed so during November.

During December 2009, the Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach area's unemployment rate decreased from 10.2 percent to 10 percent, following an increase from 9.7 percent during November. That decrease places the area's rate even with the national unemployment rate at the time of 10 percent, although that rate has now decreased to 9.7 percent.

The Fort Lauderdale area had a total non-farm employment of 743,700 workers during December, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 740,100 workers during November, but a 2.5 percent decrease from December 2008.

The Spherion report further found that about 59 percent of workers are confident in the future of their current employer, which is a 5 percent increase from the previous month.

"Although the economic recovery in Florida appears to be slightly behind other parts of the country, it is certainly encouraging to see an uptick in confidence among Florida workers as we begin the start of a new year," Paula Franco, branch manager for Spherion Staffing Services in Florida, said. "Our latest Florida Employee Confidence Index hints that many workers are feeling a renewed sense of optimism in the economic landscape and job market.

"Additionally, we are beginning to see the demand for temporary employment rise, which is a good sign that the start of an economic recovery is near," she continued. "We are advising job seekers to consider a temporary or contract assignment to get their foot in the door."

The Spherion Employment Report is conducted each month by Harris Interactive on behalf of Spherion Corporation.