Companies will be slow to hire | Daily Chronicle

Hiring is expected to be slow in the first quarter of 2010, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released Monday.

picture is more optimistic for the Rockford area, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. Between January and March, 13 percent of employers intend to hire, while only 9 percent intend to cut jobs. Seventy-six percent expect to maintain current staffing levels and 2 percent are not sure.

The best job prospects for the Chicago area are in financial activities and professional and business services, while cuts are expected in construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail, information, leisure, and government, according to the survey.

In Rockford, the outlook is good for manufacturing, wholesale and retail, financial activities, education and health, leisure, and government, while construction and transportation and utilities are likely to see cuts.

Nationwide, 12 percent of companies plan to hire in the next three months, and 12 percent expect to cut jobs. Seventy-three percent plan to maintain staffing levels, and 3 percent are undecided.

Click on the following to read the rest of the story:  Companies will be slow to hire | Daily Chronicle