Employment confidence rises — report

• Published date: 27 March 2024
• Publication title: Hawkes Bay Today

The Westpac McDermott Miller employment confidence index rose 4.7 points to 104.4 in the March quarter — a reading above 100 indicated optimists outweighed the pessimists

However, Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said the fall in perceptions about future job opportunities was consistent with its forecast of a further rise in unemployment.

It was the sixth straight quarter where such perceptions fell.

“The latest employment confidence measure suggests a further, but still gradual, rise in unemployment in the months ahead,” he said.

Workers felt more confident about their job security and were more positive about earnings growth.

“Now with some relief...