Fewer Chicago area employers plan job cuts in 2Q
BY FRANCINE KNOWLES Business Reporter fknowles@suntimes.com March 12, 2013 9:52AM
Updated: March 12, 2013 5:33PM
Chicago metropolitan area employers plan fewer job cuts in the second quarter than they did in both the year-ago quarter and the first quarter, according to a report released by Manpower Tuesday.
Only 4 percent of employers said they plan to cut staff in the second quarter, down from 8 percent in the year-ago quarter and down from 9 percent in the first quarter.
Nineteen percent of employers said they plan to boost staff, a health pace and matching the year-ago level, Manpower said. But the pace is down slightly from 20 percent who said so in the first quarter.
Seventy-one percent of employers said they plan to maintain staff levels, matching the year-ago level, and up from 69 percent in the first quarter.
The net employment outlook for the area is 15 percent, up from 11 percent in both the year-ago quarter and the first quarter of 2012.
Sectors planning to boost hiring are construction, wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, other services and government, Manpower said.
Job cuts are planned in durable goods manufacturing.
Staffing levels in nondurable goods manufacturing and transportation and utilities are expected to remain unchanged.
