The New York Employee Confidence Index continues to trend upward, increasing 2.9 points to 45.9 in May, according to the latest Spherion(R) Employment Report. The monthly survey of New York workers, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation, indicates that a decreasing number of workers believe that fewer jobs are available and more workers are confident in their ability to find a new job.

Results from the New York Employment Report:

* Seventy-three percent of workers surveyed believe fewer jobs are available, a decrease of 11 percentage points from April.

* More workers, 41 percent, are confident in their ability to find a new job, a five-percentage-point increase from the previous month.

* Thirty-nine percent of workers are likely to look for a new job, an increase of eight percentage points from April.

"As national reports continue to show signs that the recession may be bottoming out, New Yorkers' overall confidence appears to be rebounding," said Linda Perneau, vice president and general manager of Spherion Staffing Services. "This month's report shows that nearly half (41 percent) of workers are confident in their ability to find a new job, increasing five percentage points from last month. At the same time, a decreasing number of workers believe there are fewer jobs available, indicating there may be a light at the end of this tunnel."