Press Room

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 10, 2007 -- Despite a historically low unemployment rate and the beginning effects of a labor shortage, a recent survey shows that many workers say their employers are not taking the necessary steps to retain them. In addition, less than half of the U.S. workforce (43 percent) say they are satisfied with their current jobs, according to the comprehensive study released today by Spherion Corporation (NYSE: SFN), a recruiting, staffing and workforce solutions provider.

The Emerging Workforce^® Study, the fifth iteration since its inception in 1997, is based on a survey of 3,152 employed adults recently conducted by Harris Interactive in conjunction with Spherion. The Study provides comprehensive and historical data on workplace trends and measures workers' views on evolving workplace values and job satisfaction, among other topics.

The most recent data suggest a continued disconnect between employers and employees regarding the effectiveness of various employee retention tactics such as financial compensation, benefits and work/life balance programs. Three-quarters of employees surveyed view healthcare benefits (78 percent) and compensation (75 percent) as most crucial to retaining them. The data further illustrate only 34 percent and 26 percent respectively are currently satisfied with these components of their job.

                                             Drivers of Retention

The Study also shows that 29 percent of workers say their company has put less effort into retaining employees and only 13 percent have put in more effort to keep them on the job.

"Our Study indicates some very troubling trends in the employee-employer relationship," says Roy Krause, Spherion^® president and CEO. "The workforce is largely dissatisfied with their employers' efforts on the factors they feel are most important to them and will keep them in their current jobs."

Krause continued, "It is imperative employers not only understand, but adapt accordingly to their employees' evolving needs and attitudes toward work if they intend to maintain current talent levels through skill shortages. While employees are definitely redefining their idea of 'career success' and putting a premium on things like work/life balance programs, providing comprehensive benefits, commensurate financial compensation and a secure work environment that fosters creativity and participation will always be critical to long-term employee retention."

To help employers better understand evolving workplace values and what fosters company loyalty and productivity among employees, the 2007 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study^® tracks a decade of changing attitudes and trends and offers further insight into what the contemporary self-reliant and highly confident emergent worker is looking for in terms of personal and professional development.

Professionally, nearly every worker surveyed preferred jobs allowing them to think creatively (96 percent) and required an innovative approach to tasks (91 percent). Personally, employees say the most attractive workplaces are those that help them meet family obligations through the use of flex-time, job sharing, telecommuting and other work/life balance programs. In a change from previous Studies, a growing number of workers now state that job stability and security are important facets of an attractive work environment. Sixty-four (64) percent of all workers say their level of commitment to their employer is based on the promise of long-term job security.

"Our new data point to a renewed desire for security and stability among workers today which is most likely a result of continued economic and political uncertainty," concluded Krause. "While some factors regarding job security are certainly out of any employer's control, it is crucial to engage employees on a regular basis and solicit their feedback on their personal job satisfaction and work environment. This will not only help retain crucial talent, but help make them more productive and loyal as well."

Additional Results from the 2007 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study:

• Only 13 percent of employers are doing more to retain workers, while 29 percent are actually doing less -- according to employees.
• 62 percent of workers say they have confidence in making a living outside of the traditional/corporate work structure and becoming a contractor, free agent or contingent worker -- an increase of eight percentage points from 2003.
• Growth and earnings potential is an extremely/very important retention factor to 68 percent of workers, but only 24 percent of workers are satisfied with their current growth and earnings potential.
• Compensation is the second most important retention factor for workers (75 percent say it is an extremely or very important), but only 26 percent are satisfied with their current level of compensation and 60 percent of workers don't believe they are paid what they are worth.
• Time and flexibility are extremely/very important to 65 percent of all workers, but only 37 percent say they are satisfied with their time and flexibility.
• Three in 10 (31 percent) of workers plan to look for a new job in the next year.
• 61 percent of workers plan to work until they are 65 or older.
• 37 percent of workers say they don't have the training needed to meet their career goals.

For additional information on the 2007 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study and to take a survey rating yourself and/or your organization visit http://www.spherion.com/EmergingWorkforce.

 (1) Note: Employers' view of retention factors from 2005 Emerging Workforce Study. Results based   on percent indicating "very important" when asked what are the most important drivers of retention.
  (2) Note: Based on percent indicating "extremely or very important" when asked what are the most important drivers of retention.

About the 2007 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study
More than 10 years ago, Spherion Corporation consulted with international polling firm Harris Interactive to launch the Emerging Workforce^® Study, a research initiative designed to provide a comprehensive portrait of changes in the American workforce in the context of ongoing social and economic events. Since that time, Spherion^® has continued to track the growth of an emergent workforce and the resulting implications for U.S. employers.

In subsequent Studies, Spherion experts have discovered that while attitudes and opinions of the workforce were changing, the majority of employers were reluctant to adopt a style of management which would allow them to attract and retain top talent. The most recent Study updates and expands on previous workforce research published by Spherion in 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2005.

Methodology
The 2007 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study was conducted by Harris Interactive^® on behalf of Spherion Corporation. A sample of 3,152 employed adults in the U.S. was interviewed between March 5 - 16. Employed adults were defined as those working 30 or more hours per week. Results were weighted as needed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education and region to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting adjusted for respondents' propensity to be online. The 2005 Study took place between March 21 and April 27, 2005 among 502 HR executives and was weighted to reflect the distribution of employees across company size based on information provided by Dunn & Bradstreet.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Spherion
Spherion Corporation (NYSE: SFN) is a leading recruiting and staffing company that provides integrated solutions to meet the evolving needs of companies and job candidates. As an industry pioneer for more than 60 years, Spherion has screened and placed millions of individuals in temporary, temp- to-hire and full-time jobs. Positions range from administrative and light industrial to a host of professions that include accounting/finance, information technology, engineering, manufacturing, legal, human resources and sales/marketing.

With approximately 650 locations in the United States and Canada, Spherion delivers innovative workforce solutions that improve business performance. Spherion provides its services to more than 8,000 customers, from Fortune 500 companies to a wide range of small and mid-size organizations. Employing nearly 300,000 people annually through its network, Spherion is one of North America's largest employers. To learn more, visit http://www.spherion.com/. For up-to- date career tips and trends, visit Spherion's career blog, The Big Time^(SM), at http://www.spherion.com/careerblog.

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and one of the fastest-growing market research firms in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American, European and Asian offices, and through a global network of independent market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

SOURCE: Spherion Corporation

CONTACT: Kip Havel of Spherion Corporation, +1-800-422-3819,
kiphavel@spherion.com; Josette Robinson, +1-212-279-3115 x212,
jrobinson@cjpcom.com

Web site: http://www.spherion.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/