1 in 3 US companies surveyed predict renewed growth and increased hiring in 2012

Washington, Mar 20(ANI): One in three companies surveyed predicted renewed growth and increased hiring for the rest of the year; as compared to the same period last year when only one in five U.S. employers felt confident about growth or hiring.

The participants in the survey included senior executives at 631 organizations across the U.S., representing the government, non-profit, public and private sectors, Fox News reports.

"Beneath the caution, organizations are becoming more positive about the economy and their own businesses," Fox News quoted group executive vice president Americas of Right Management, Bram Lowsky, as saying.

"There have been so many 'false positives' in the past two years that most executives temper their enthusiasm until they see consistent, strong data. But the numbers from our study suggest a clear upward trend, especially with respect to hiring," he added.

Thirty six percent of respondents predicted that 2012 would be a "year of growth and recovery" marked by new talent development initiatives and increased hiring.

While 55 percent suggested that it would be similar to last year with postponed HR initiatives and slow hiring and 11 percent believed that the year would be stagnant, with more cutbacks and restructuring.

The findings are similar to the latest survey by ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook.

The survey had found that U.S. employers were at levels of the highest optimism since prior to the recession and projected an increase in hiring by one or two percent. (ANI)