Nov. 6, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Spherion Employee Confidence Index decreased by one point to 48.4 in October. The Index, which measures workers' confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, reveals that although fewer U.S. workers believe the economy is getting stronger, slightly more workers are optimistic in the future of their current employer.

"Our latest Employee Confidence Index suggests that workers remained concerned about the economy and job market as a whole," said Roy Krause, President and CEO of Spherion Corporation. "Although economic indicators seem to be pointing in a better direction, confidence levels are likely to bounce around a bit until workers see more definitive signs of a turnaround- such as positive job growth. Undeniably, this downturn has many businesses operating in a 'doing more with less' mode, which may become standardized in a post-recessionary economy. Even though the appetite for aggressive hiring may not be seen for some time, companies are starting to talk about the need to potentially add new staff in order to maintain productivity. In a number of cases, this is tied to a desire to be fully "battle ready" for the recovery and to augment teams that may struggle because recession cuts were perhaps a bit too deep. Companies that are ramping up sales activity, retaining top talent and delivering quality customer service will be better poised--and remembered--come recovery time."

A Look Inside the Report:

Confidence in Overall Situation:

The Spherion Employee Confidence Index decreased by one point to 48.4 in October. The Index, which measures workers' confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, reveals that although fewer U.S. workers believe the economy is getting stronger, slightly more workers are optimistic in the future of their current employer.

Confidence in Macroeconomic Environment:

    --  Twenty-three percent of U.S.