Surry Business

The outlook for hiring in the Winston-Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area is the worst since 1996, Richard Craver reports today in the Winston-Salem Journal.

Previewing a Manpower Inc. Employment Outlook quarterly report, Craver writes, “Just 7 percent of employers in (Davie, Forsyth, Stokes and Yadkin counties) say they plan to add staff in the first quarter…. The last time that the local hiring projection was so low was the fourth quarter of 1996…. Twenty-three percent of local employers expect to reduce their work force — the same as the fourth quarter of 2007.”

“The economy and the weak dollar have shaken some employers to the point of being gun-shy when it comes to hiring, especially considering most employers’ most controllable expense is employees.” Matt Stadler, the manager of Manpower’s office in Winston-Salem, told Craver. “We’re also seeing more people willing to stay in the job they’re in, even as employers are expecting more from them as they operate with less staff.”

The survey found that the best job prospects are in the service sector. Employers in construction, durable and nondurable-goods manufacturing are the most likely to eliminate jobs.

“The area continues to brace for major job cuts from several area employers pursuing cost savings through outsourcing and offshoring information,” Craver wrote. “A short list includes Aon Corp., BB&T Corp., Dell Inc., GMAC Insurance, Reynolds American Inc. and Wachovia Corp.”

The survey area does not include Surry County, but thousands of people from here work there daily.

Manpower Inc.’s nationwide employment outlook report is here.