Manpower survey indicates hiring trends for early 2006

Salt Lake-area employers expect to hire at a steady pace during the first quarter of 2006, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released Monday.

Twenty-three percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 7 percent expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Robert Katz, spokesman for the employment services company. Another 70 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels.

A year ago, 10 percent of surveyed companies expected hiring increases, while 23 percent intended to cut back.

In Ogden, 13 percent expect to hire, while 3 percent expect decreases. Orem had 17 percent expecting staffing increases and 17 percent decreasing. The overall state figures show 18 percent hiring and 9 percent expecting cutbacks.