Nearly half of US companies plan to add staff in 2022

Nearly half (46%) of managers anticipate adding new permanent positions during the second half of 2022, according to a recent report from Robert Half. The recruitment and HR consultancy surveyed over 1,500 managers in the US between June and July 2022.

The survey found that another 46% of managers plan to fill vacated positions, while 8% expect hiring freezes or layoffs.

Facing increasing salary pressure, employers are looking to hire more entry-level professionals (72%). A talent shortage in high-demand skills, meanwhile, has 45% of managers planning to bring in more contract professionals, especially in technology (60%) and finance and accounting (54%).

"Despite talk of an economic slowdown, many companies remain in hiring mode — and professionals with in-demand skills continue to have options," said Robert Half senior executive director Paul McDonald. "In addition to staffing critical functions, employers are increasingly turning to contract talent to stay nimble while keeping projects moving forward and productivity high."

Most managers say they’re still having trouble finding skilled professionals (88%), with 38% citing and lack of qualified talent and 22% citing excessive salary demands.

Employers with adequate resources are trotting out various incentives to attract scarce talent, including increased starting salaries (46%), signing bonuses (34%), and remote options (33%). Employers are also expanding their search to outside their home geography (31%) and loosening education and experience requirements (28%).

With the Great Resignation continuing to vex HR departments, over three-quarters (78%) of managers are concerned about more employees quitting.

"As long as the job market favors workers, staff retention will continue to be a big concern for businesses,” McDonald added.