Survey shows grounds for some optimism

MANY companies are hiring and performing better and more people think the economic downturn is nearly over, according to a survey.

However, despite 27% of Irish workers saying they took more annual leave due to the turbulent economic times, this was one of the lowest levels in the world.

In China 46% took extra annual leave, rising to 49% in Singapore, according to a survey conducted by Berkley recruitment.

Managing director with Berkley Fergal Brosnan said: “It has been commented on that in a European context, this summer saw people taking extra time for holidays than would previously have been the case.

“In fact Irish workers were ranked fourth on the global league table of countries where respondents did not take extra leave, with only Germany, Switzerland and Australia taking marginally less.

“This is an excellent demonstration of our commitment to return to competitiveness and cements the recent government statistics of the Irish workforce currently being one of the hardest working in the world.”

The number of companies hiring in Ireland continues to increase, rising from 27% in quarter one to 37% in quarter two.

Despite this increase, hiring levels in Ireland are lagging behind the rest of Europe with 92% of German companies hiring and 64% in France.

More than half of Irish respondents now think that the global downturn is over the worst or that the end is less than nine months away.

In Ireland just 2% think the economic downturn is over compared with 16% in Germany.

The majority of Irish respondents are not expecting pay increases over the next year with three out of five expecting that pay will stay the same or fall.

A third said that their companies are performing better than 12 months ago. “Local, international and multinational employers must be encouraged by the fact that 59% of respondents in Ireland are expecting no change in their salary or a pay cut in 2011,” said Mr Brosnan.