After reaching its lowest point over the last 12 months, the New York Employee Confidence Index rebounded 9.6 points to 45.5 in January, 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, shows that more workers are confident in their ability to find a new job.

Results from the New York Employment Report:

- Nearly half (48 percent) of workers surveyed reported that they were confident in their ability to find a new job, an increase of 15 percentage points from December.

- Slightly more workers (10 percent) believe more jobs are available, a five-percentage-point increase from the previous month.

- Sixty-five percent of workers are confident in the future of their current employer, an increase of six percentage points from December.

"After several months of negative jobs news, it is refreshing to see a nice bounce in worker confidence and in optimism regarding job availability," said Linda Perneau, vice president and general manager of Spherion Staffing Services. "The jump in optimism is somewhat surprising, but tracks with our January national index. I believe it can be attributed to the new administration and proposed economic stimulus plans that many believe will jump start the economy and job creation."