The Administrative and Clerical Employee Confidence Index, a measure of worker confidence in the overall economy and their personal employment prospects, rose nearly two points from 54.9 in the fourth quarter of 2006 to 56.8 in the first quarter of 2007, according to the latest Spherion(R) Employment Report survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation.

Overall confidence increased primarily because more workers believe there are more jobs available and more are optimistic about their employers' futures.

Results from the Administrative and Clerical Employment Report:

- More than three-quarters (77 percent) of administrative and clerical workers believe it is unlikely that they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months (up one percentage point from fourth quarter).

- More workers (19 percent) believe that more jobs are available, up two percentage points.

- Despite steady personal confidence, 41 percent of workers believe the economy is weakening, a rise of two percentage points from the previous quarter.

"The dip in overall economic confidence notwithstanding, administrative and clerical workers remain fairly upbeat in terms of confidence in their personal situations," said Ralph Henderson, senior vice president of Staffing Services for Spherion. "The sustained low unemployment rate, which is tightening up the talent pool in markets across the country, is no doubt a contributing factor to employee confidence."

Employee Confidence Index: The Administrative and Clerical Employee Confidence Index rose 1.9 points from the fourth quarter of last year, to open 2007 at 56.8, as more workers reported optimism in the availability of jobs (up two percentage points to 19 percent) and their employers' futures (up two percentage points to 67 percent). While this sector continues to lag the overall U.S. Employee Confidence Index, the gap has narrowed to less than three points.