Staffing Cuts Likely to Exceed Hiring Gains

Staff cutbacks are expected to outpace hiring gains in Ventura County this spring, according to the latest Employment Outlook Survey by Manpower Inc.

The quarterly survey of employers in Ventura County reveals that 16% plan to add workers during the April-June period, while 20% expect to cut back.

Another 61% anticipate no change in staffing, and 3% remain uncertain.

“A year ago at this time, employers in our area were more upbeat, as 23% reported hiring intentions and none foresaw the need to trim,” said Betty Andrews, branch manager at Manpower’s Camarillo office.

This year, however, Ventura County employers are being more cautious, and many more are using temporary workers instead of adding permanent staff, she said.

“It’s an old thing of not wanting to count your chickens before they hatch, so you think negative,” Andrews said. “We all go through our dry spells.”

Employers in surrounding counties appear to be more optimistic than in Ventura County, according to the survey results. In the Greater Los Angeles area, 21% of those surveyed said they would hire more people between April and June, while 17% said they expected a staffing decrease.

In Santa Barbara County, 33% of the surveyed employers had plans to increase their work force, and 13% expected a decrease in staffing.

In Ventura County, the best job opportunities this spring are expected in the areas of transportation, public utilities and public administration. Staff reductions are projected in nondurable goods manufacturing.

Mixed intentions are reported in durable goods manufacturing, the wholesale/retail trade and services.

Manpower Inc., a temporary help firm located in 38 countries, has conducted the Employment Outlook Survey on a quarterly basis for 19 years. The latest survey results are based on telephone interviews with more than 15,000 public and private employers in 481 cities.