The American Society of Employers’ quarterly economic and employment survey results

Although most employers (55%) see no change in their future business outlook, a closer look at the data shows a negative trend in the economic outlook. Specifically, 15% of participants report worsening forecasts, up from just 10% in the previous quarter.

Much of the decrease in business outlook was seen in the manufacturing sector.  18% of employers in that group report that their business outlook is declining.  This compares to just 11% from the previous quarter.

71% of employers expect hiring levels to remain the same over the next six months. The number of employers expecting hiring levels to stay the same saw a 7% increase from the previous quarter.  

Data from the survey shows that the Production / Maintenance job function experienced the most significant turnover this quarter followed by Engineering. 

The Engineering job family was rated (41%) as the top “in demand” job function, followed by Sales / Marketing (30%) and Production / Maintenance (29%).

Most participants (55%) indicated that the Trump administration’s trade tariffs have had no impact on their organization.  Just 16% reported a negative impact.  

However, when asked if the tariff will have some future impact, 51% of manufacturing organizations responded, “Don’t Know.”

127 organizations from across Michigan participated.

Organizations with one to 500 Michigan employees made up more than 83% of the survey sample, while organizations with 501 to 1,000 Michigan employees represented 10% of the sample. The remaining 7% of the sample comes from organizations with more than 1,000 Michigan employees.

A variety of industries are represented, with manufacturing organizations representing just over 56% of the survey sample.