Business

Report: pink slips for Xmas

New York metro area employers are turning more bearish on hiring, one report out today reveals.

Firms in the New York-New Jersey area expecting to issue pink slips nearly doubled to 15 percent in the fourth quarter from 8 percent in the third quarter, while companies looking to hire in the quarter slipped to 18 percent from 19 percent, the survey found.

“There are a lot of jobs out there, but the huge shortage of specially skilled candidates is causing companies to put off hiring until they can find what they need,” said Susan Fontana, regional vice president of Manpower, which surveyed more than 18,000 employers nationally for the report.

“The uncertainty over the elections and political gridlock are just making the slowing economy worse,” she said.

An earlier survey this spring by the global staffing firm showed that 71 percent thought they would keep payrolls steady. The figure for the fourth quarter has now dropped to 65 percent.

The new outlook spells a dismal holiday season ahead.

Overall, the survey by Manpower revealed a likely net gain in jobs of just 3 percent, off sharply from the rosy 11 percent net gain in jobs for the third quarter.