The New York Employee Confidence Index decreased 9.3 points to 38.4 in October, 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 more workers are concerned about the strength of the economy, as well as the number of jobs that are available.

Results from the New York Employment Report

- Eighty-one percent of workers say the economy is weakening, an increase of 13 percentage points from September.

- Three-quarters (75 percent) of workers believe fewer jobs are available, a 21-percentage-point increase from the previous month.

- Contrary to the September report, fewer workers (35 percent) are confident in their ability to find a new job, a decrease of 19 percentage points.

"This month's report really echoes what we are seeing across the country as far as employee confidence is concerned. New York workers are witnessing the financial crisis first-hand, so it is no surprise that there is such a sharp decline in the Confidence Index," said Linda Perneau, vice president of Spherion Staffing Services. "The bright spots in our market remain the job gains in education and healthcare, and our report shows little fluctuation in the numbers regarding job security, so that is positive moving into the holiday season when the spotlight turns to consumer trends."