Job market is healthy in Oklahoma, but hiring declines from last year

Oklahoma's net employment outlook fell to 14 percent in the second quarter of 2013, from 20 percent the same period a year ago, according to the survey.

The figure is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring, minus the percentage of employers expecting to reduce staffing.

“Compared to one year ago, when the net employment outlook was 20 percent, employers are less confident about their staffing plans,” Manpower spokeswoman Sunny Ackerman said.

About 18 percent of Oklahoma employers that Manpower surveyed said they would increase staffing levels in the second quarter, while 4 percent said they would decrease their staff, according to the report.

Rob Denton, branch manager for Manpower's Oklahoma City office, said he had seen a drop in hiring activity in the area. Manpower has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

“There is more uncertainty in the market — prospects are cloudier,” Denton said. “It has been a little slower here lately.”

Nationally, 18 percent of employers surveyed said they would increase their staffing, while 5 percent said they would decrease payrolls for the second quarter of 2013.

Adjusted for seasonal variations, Manpower reported an 11 percent national net employment outlook for the second quarter of the year, compared to 12 percent for the first quarter of 2013.

Manpower surveyed 18,000 employers nationwide for the report.