1. SHRM Poll: The Ongoing Impact of the Recession—Overall Financial Health and Hiring
November 22, 2011

2. Introduction
This is part one of a series of SHRM poll results about the ongoing impact of the recession. Overall results will be reported separately in three different topic areas:
Recruiting and skill gaps.
Overall financial health and hiring.
Global competition and hiring strategies.
Industry-specific results will be reported separately for each of the eight industries that were included in the sample:
Construction, oil, mining and gas.
Federal government.
Finance.
Health.
Manufacturing.
State and local government.
Services—professional.
High-tech.

3. Key Findings
What percentage of staff have organizations laid off since the U.S. and global recession began in December 2007? Overall, 77% of organizations indicated they had lost 10% of employees or less in 2011, whereas in % of organizations reported losing less than 10% of employees.
How does organizations’ financial health compare to where it was 12 months ago? Results in 2011 were very similar to 2010 results. Two-thirds of organizations reported either no change (24% in 2011, 25% in 2010) or experiencing a mild to significant recovery (42% in 2011 and 2010), while one-third were in a mild (26% in 2011, 24% in 2010) or significant decline (8% in 2011, 9% in 2011).

4. Key Findings
Are organizations currently hiring? Nearly three out of four organizations (73%) were currently hiring full-time permanent staff. Larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) were more likely to be hiring compared with smaller organizations (1 to 499 employees).
For what type of positions are organizations hiring? Most hiring is at nonmanagement levels (72% for hourly and 71% for salaried positions), and more than one-half (54%) of organizations are hiring for management positions such as directors and managers. About one out of five organizations (22%) is hiring at the executive/upper management level.

5. Key Findings
Are organizations creating new positions or replacing jobs lost? In 2011, more organizations (58%) are mainly hiring direct replacements of jobs lost than they were in 2010 (41%), while fewer organizations (30%) are hiring for completely new positions in 2011 than they were in 2010 (47%). The proportion of organizations that are adding new duties to the jobs lost has remained unchanged at 12%. The smallest organizations (1 to 99 employees) are more likely to be hiring for completely new positions than are larger organizations (100 or more employees).
Do completely new positions require new and different skill sets compared with the skills required for the jobs lost since the recession began? More than one-half (57%) of organizations require a mixture of new skills and the same type of skills for new positions, whereas 15% require completely new and different skill sets and 28% require approximately the same types of skills as those required before the recession. When these positions required at least some new skills, 63% of organizations reported difficulty recruiting, especially among small organizations (1 to 99 employees).

6. Thus far, what percentage of full-time permanent jobs have been lost at your organization since the U.S. and global recession began in December 2007?
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. *2010 data had different categories than 2011 data: “Less than 10% of staff” and “10% to 20% of staff”.

7. have lost more than 50% of staff
Thus far, what percentage of full-time permanent jobs have been lost at your organization since the U.S. and global recession began in December 2007?
Comparisons by industry
The federal government and the finance industry are more likely to have had no layoffs than the construction, mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, state and local government, professional services, and high-tech industries.
Federal government (46%)
Finance (45%)
…are more likely to
have had NO layoffs
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (20%)
Manufacturing (21%)
State and local government (31%)
Services—professional (30%)
High-tech (29%)
The construction, mining, oil and gas industry is more likely to have lost more than 50% of staff than the federal government, finance, manufacturing, and professional services industries.
Construction, mining, oil and gas (10%)
…is more likely to
have lost more than 50% of staff
than...
Federal government (1%)
Finance (0%)
Manufacturing (2%)
Services—professional (2%)

8. Thus far, what percentage of full-time permanent jobs have been lost at your organization since the U.S. and global recession began in December 2007?
Comparisons by organization staff size
Smaller organizations (1 to 499 employees) are more likely than larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) to have had NO layoffs.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (37%)
100 to 499 employees (34%)
500 to 2,499 employees (24%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (25%)
Smaller organizations > larger organizations
Smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) are more likely than larger organizations (100 to 24,999 employees) to have laid off more than 50% of staff.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (6%)
100 to 499 employees (2%)
500 to 2,499 employees (1%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (1%)
Smaller organizations > larger organizations

9. In relation to the U.S. and global recession, would you say your organization's overall financial health is declining or recovering compared with 12 months ago?

10. be in a significant recovery
In relation to the U.S. and global recession, would you say your organization's overall financial health is declining or recovering compared with 12 months ago?
Comparisons by industry
The construction, mining, oil and gas, finance, manufacturing, services—professional, and high-tech industries are more likely to be in a significant recovery than the federal government and state and local governments.
Construction, mining, oil and gas (9%)
Finance (11%)
Manufacturing (19%)
Services—professional (11%)
High-tech (14%)
…are more likely to
be in a significant recovery
than...
Federal government (2%)
State and local government (1%)
The finance industry is more likely to be in a mild recovery than the federal government, health, state and local government, and high-tech industries.
Finance (46%)
…is more likely to
be in a mild recovery
than...
Federal government (12%)
Health (23%)
State and local government (25%)
High-tech (29%)

11. Is your organization currently hiring full-time permanent staff?
Note: n = 2,286.

12. Is your organization currently hiring full-time permanent staff?
Comparisons by industry
The health industry is more likely to be currently hiring full-time staff than the construction, mining, oil and gas, federal government, and professional services industries.
Health (88%)
…is more likely to
be currently hiring full-time staff
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (66%)
Federal government (66%)
Services—professional (71%)
The high-tech industry is more likely to be currently hiring full-time staff than the construction, mining, oil and gas, and federal government industries.
High-tech (80%)
…is more likely to
be currently hiring full-time staff
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (66%)
Federal government (66%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
Larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 499 employees) to be currently hiring full-time staff.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (46%)
100 to 499 employees (74%)
500 to 2,499 employees (85%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (89%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations

13. At what level(s) is your organization hiring?
Note: n = 1,660. Percentages do not total 100% because respondents were able to select multiple response options. Only respondents whose organizations were currently hiring full-time staff were asked this question.

14. At what level(s) is your organization hiring?
Comparisons by industry
The health industry is more likely to be hiring executive/upper management employees than the construction, mining, oil and gas, finance, manufacturing, professional services, and high-tech industries.
Health (40%)
…is more likely to
be hiring executive/upper management staff
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (15%)
Finance (20%)
Manufacturing (20%)
Services—professional (19%)
High-tech (16%)
The high tech industry is more likely to be hiring nonmanagement salaried employees than the construction, mining, oil and gas, federal government, finance, health, manufacturing, state and local government, and professional services industries.
High-tech (91%)
…is more likely to
be hiring nonmanagement salaried employees
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (70%)
Federal government (73%)
Finance (68%)
Health (60%)
Manufacturing (64%)
State and local government (66%)
Services—professional (79%)

15. At what level(s) is your organization hiring? (continued)
Comparisons by industry
The finance, health, manufacturing, and state and local government industries are more likely to be hiring nonmanagement hourly employees than the federal government, professional services and high-tech industries.
Finance (77%)
Health (90%)
Manufacturing (85%)
State and local government (79%)
…are more likely to
be hiring non-management hourly employees
than...
Federal government (58%)
Services—professional (59%)
High-tech (51%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
Larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 499 employees) to be hiring executive/upper management staff.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (7%)
100 to 499 employees (15%)
500 to 2,499 employees (23%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (39%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations

16. At what level(s) is your organization hiring? (continued)
Comparisons by organization staff size
Larger organizations (500 to 25,000 or more employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 499 employees) to be hiring other management-level employees (e.g., directors, managers).
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (28%)
100 to 499 employees (46%)
500 to 2,499 employees (61%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (70%)
25,000 or more employees (71%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations
Larger organizations (2,500 to 24,999 employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 2,499 employees) to be hiring nonmanagement salaried employees.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (58%)
100 to 499 employees (66%)
500 to 2,499 employees (74%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (85%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations

17. Which of the following best describes, in general, the nature of full-time positions your organization is currently hiring?
Note: Only respondents whose organizations were currently hiring full-time staff were asked this question.

18. Which of the following best describes, in general, the nature of full-time positions your organization is currently hiring?
Comparisons by industry
The state and local governments are more likely to be hiring direct replacements of jobs lost since the recession began than the construction, mining, oil and gas, federal government, finance, manufacturing, professional services, and high-tech industries.
State and local governments (80%)
…are more likely to
be hiring direct replacements of jobs lost since the recession began
than...
Construction, mining, oil and gas (49%)
Federal government (63%)
Finance (60%)
Manufacturing (54%)
Services—professional (48%)
High-tech (39%)
The high-tech industry is more likely to be hiring for completely new positions than the federal government, finance, health, and state and local government industries.
High-tech (46%)
…is more likely to
be hiring for completely new positions
than...
Federal government (27%)
Finance (29%)
Health (21%)
State and local government (13%)

19. Which of the following best describes, in general, the nature of full-time positions your organization is currently hiring?
Comparisons by organization staff size
Larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) to be hiring direct replacements of positions lost since the recession began.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (48%)
500 to 2,499 employees (60%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (63%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations
Smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) are more likely than larger organizations (100 to 25,000 or more employees) to be hiring for completely new positions.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (43%)
100 to 499 employees (32%)
500 to 2,499 employees (25%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (24%)
25,000 or more employees (22%)
Smaller organizations > larger organizations

20. Compared with the skills required for jobs lost since the recession began, do these completely new positions require any of the following skills?
Note: n = 467. Only respondents whose organizations were hiring full-time staff for “completely new positions” were asked this question.

21. Compared with the skills required for jobs lost since the recession began, do these completely new positions require any of the following skills?
Comparisons by organization staff size
Approximately the same types of skills for completely new positions
Smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) are more likely than larger organizations (100 to 24,999 employees) to require approximately the same types of skills for completely new positions.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (45%)
100 to 499 employees (27%)
500 to 2,499 employees (17%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (22%)
Smaller organizations > larger organizations
A mixture of new skills and the same types of skills for completely new positions
Larger organizations (100 to 24,999 employees) are more likely than smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) to require a mixture of new skills and the same types of skills for completely new positions.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (40%)
100 to 499 employees (60%)
500 to 2,499 employees (68%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (62%)
Larger organizations > smaller organizations

22. If the new jobs being created by your organization require new and different skill sets, how easy or difficult do you think it will be or has it been thus far to find qualified individuals for those positions?
Note: Only respondents whose organizations were hiring full-time staff for positions with “new duties added to jobs lost” or “completely new positions” that required either “a mixture of new skills and the same types of skills” or “completely new and different skills” were asked this question.

23. Smaller organizations Differences based on organization staff size
If the new jobs being created by your organization require new and different skill sets, how easy or difficult do you think it will be or has it been thus far to find qualified individuals for those positions?
Comparisons by organization staff size
Smaller organizations (1 to 99 employees) are more likely than larger organizations (500 to 24,999 employees) to report that it will be or has been very difficult to find qualified individuals for jobs requiring new and different skill sets.
Smaller organizations
Larger organizations
Differences based on organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (18%)
500 to 2,499 employees (3%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (3%)
Smaller organizations > larger organizations

24. Demographics: Organization Industry
Note: n = 2,286. Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

25. Demographics: Organization Sector
Note: n = 2,187.

26. Demographics: Organization Staff Size
Note: n = 2,161.

27. Demographics: Other
Is your organization a single-unit company or a multi-unit company?
Does your organization have U.S.-based operations (business units) only or does it operate multi-nationally?
Single-unit company: A company in which the location and the company are one and the same.
38%
Multi-unit company: A company that has more than one location.
62%
U.S.-based operations only
74%
Multinational operations
26%
n = 2,196.
n = 2,226.
Are HR policies and practices determined by the multi-unit corporate headquarters, by each work location or both?
HR department/function for which you responded throughout this survey
Multi-unit headquarters determines HR policies and practices
52%
Each work location determines HR policies and practices 3%
A combination of both the work location and the multi-unit headquarters determine HR policies and practices
44%
Corporate (company wide)
69%
Business unit/division
19%
Facility/location
12%
n = 1,444.
n = 1,442.
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

28. SHRM Poll: The Ongoing Impact of the Recession
Methodology
Response rate = 11%
Sample composed of 2,286 randomly selected HR professionals from eight different industries in SHRM’s membership
Margin of error +/- 2%
Survey fielded August 18-September 2, 2011
For more poll findings, visit
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