Businesses to increase employment globally

11/10/2010 23:00

Businesses to increase employment globally as upturn takes hold

Auckland, October 12, 2010 – Businesses across the globe are now looking to hire new staff, in one of the first signs that global economic recovery and growth is on a sustainable upward trajectory. This is the key finding of the bi-annual Regus Business Tracker survey that interviews over 10,000 businesses around the world. The fact that companies are looking to hire additional staff will be regarded as a significant indicator that the mindset of organizations has shifted towards investment in growth through human capital. Over a third of companies (36% net[1]) surveyed said they intend to increase headcount.

These findings are particularly significant, coming in the wake of recent IMF and ILO observations that global unemployment has reached record proportions in the last three years (up to 210 million since 2007). These organizations have warned about potential problems for national economies if this trend continues. Unemployment reduces national taxation income and increases public spending. The findings of the Regus Business Tracker provide important evidence that the world unemployment situation may be set to ease in 2011.

The survey canvassed the opinions of over 10,000 senior business people in 78 countries asking them about their current revenue performance, their profitability, their projected future revenues and their wider expectations of national economic growth. These indicators form the basis for the report’s Business Optimism Index, which unusually reflects actual performance as well as near-term outlook. Globally, this edition of the index revealed a far more positive outlook, with a greater proportion of optimist countries than six months ago. This October the global index revealed a bullish rating of 98, up 4 points on six months ago.

William Willems, Vice President for Regus Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, comments: “The intention to increase headcount is a clear indicator that businesses want to be prepared to grasp the opportunities that recovering markets may throw their way. The global optimism index also reveals a more positive outlook than six months ago as Western Europe, with the exception of Spain, becomes noticeably more optimistic. The USA can also boast an increase in optimism levels and in Asia, Chinese bullishness continues to rise. Mexico records a very slight inflection in optimism probably due to the unsettled security situation currently disturbing the country.

“In spite of this optimism, our research also highlights that 41% of companies are still looking to reduce their overheads, through other means than reducing staff. This reveals a global attitude of cautious optimism. As companies look to find economies in their own operations, we are likely to see more and more organizations offering flexible working practices to their existing or prospective employees in a bid to achieve a better work-life balance and run a leaner organization. In many countries we are seeing greater part-time working patterns which will be key to maintaining sustainable employment levels.”

- End -

[1] The net employment figures in the Regus Business Tracker consist of: <% of companies intending to increase staff over the next 6 months> minus <% of companies intending to cut staff over the next 6 months>

Note to editors:

About Regus

Regus is the world’s largest provider of workplace solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it’s from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

Over 800,000 customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,100 locations in 500 cities and 85 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.regus.co.nz

To download a copy of the full report please visit www.regus.presscentre.com

© Scoop Media