Hiring Survey Shows Weak Quarter: The recession...

Hiring Survey Shows Weak Quarter: The recession is still well entrenched, judging by the hiring plans of U.S. employers for the second quarter, according to the temporary employment agency Manpower Inc. A survey of 15,000 U.S. businesses revealed the weakest second-quarter outlook since 1982, when the nation was last gripped by recession, Manpower said. For the quarter beginning April 1, 18% plan to add workers, while 13% plan reductions. That leaves a net hiring strength factor of 5%, which is up from the first quarter’s -1%, but well below the 18%-plus factor in the second quarter of 1990.