Good news on Christmas Eve

Hudson and Rasmussen come together and bring us some good news on Christmas Eve.

Hudson, one of the world's leading professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solution providers, also publishes the Hudson Employment Index(SM), a monthly measure of the U.S. workforce's confidence in the employment market.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

According to a Christmas Eve report:

"Looking ahead to the new year, 47% of workers expect their job prospects will be better in 2006 than in 2005. A national Hudson survey also found that 3-out-of-5 workers expect to earn more next year than they did this past year. That includes 21 percent who expect to earn significantly more and 42% who say they hope to earn a little more.

The survey also suggests that workers may be more content to stay put in 2006. Twenty-nine percent (29%) report that they have no plans to look for a new job, up from one year ago when only 22% made that claim.

Even so, a large portion of the workforce will be on the market, with 37% saying it is very or somewhat likely that they will actively seek new job opportunities in the new year. Last year, that figure was 42%.

“While 2005 was a challenging year on many fronts, U.S. workers continued to show their resilience and optimism heading into the new year,” said Steve Wolfe, executive vice president, Hudson, North America.

“We anticipate that 2006 will be a stronger year for worker confidence and for workers’ leverage as they seek to improve their skills and investigate new opportunities.” (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Hudson%20Year%20End%20Review.htm)

Good news.

On top of that, the Bush administration announced troop cuts in Iraq under 138,000. It will two combat brigades, or about 7,000 soldiers. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,179679,00.html)

Merry Christmas to the soldiers and their families. They have done a great job. Congratulations to the brave Iraqis who are taking over more and more responsibilities.

Overall, a good Christmas Eve!