The Small Firms Association (SFA) has conducted and released the findings of its Q2, 2010 Jobs Sentiment Survey on a total of 622 companies employing 13,750 people. The sample constituted mainly of manufacturing, distribution, retail and services sectors and from a regionally representative sample, which included all parts of Irish Republic.
The survey states that, during the last 3 months, 60% of companies have maintained current levels of employee numbers, but 29% of companies had experienced a decrease in employee numbers in the same period. Just under a quarter (24%) of companies expect a further decrease in the next 3 months.
The Q2, 2010 survey shows for the next 3 months, 14% of companies indicated the introduction of short-time working (a decrease of 1% on Q1, 2010) and 7% implementing lay-offs (a decrease of 4% on Q1, 2010). With an increase in 3% from Q1, now 50% of small firms will implement a recruitment freeze in the next three months. And 24% of firms will not extend any current employment contracts; this figure remains unchanged since the end of 2009.
In regard to training, 37% of survey respondents indicated that in the next 3 months they will be training and improving the skil of the staff.
Small Firms Association’s director stated that many of the small businesses are reluctant to recruit mainly because of economic and financial uncertainty.
With three out of five companies are hoping employee numbers to stay at their current level and 19% of firms expecting to increase their employee numbers, and with regard to training, 37% of survey respondents indicated that in the next 3 months they will be training and improving the skill of the staff, 2011 looks much better than the current year.