The Spherion(R) Employee Confidence Index, a monthly gauge of overall worker confidence, declined 0.3 point to 46.2 in April, decreasing for the ninth consecutive month and reaching a new low.

Although 73 percent of workers believe the economy is getting weaker, the majority of workers (52 percent) say they are confident in their ability to find a new job, down only one percentage point from March.

In addition, 65 percent of workers express confidence in the future of their current employer, an increase of two percentage points. Seventy-eight percent feel it is unlikely they will lose their current job, an increase of one percentage point from March.

Workers' optimism regarding job availability and their likelihood of looking for a new job remains unchanged since the previous month. Specifically, 12 percent say there are more jobs available and just over a third - 35 percent - say it is likely they will look for a new job in the next 12 months.

"This month's continued decline in confidence reflects the countrywide pessimism about the current state of the economy. Once again, this month's data show workers are still confident in their own employers and bullish on their own job security," said Roy Krause, president and chief executive officer of Spherion Corporation. "Over the past ten years, our studies have shown us that workers maintain high levels of personal confidence in their skills and abilities which they believe will buffer them somewhat from an economic slowdown.

"Also, while overall job growth has decreased over the past nine months, it's important to note that certain sectors continue to add jobs," Krause continued. "In the technology sector, for example, employment shot up more than 12 percent, with companies adding about 376,000 IT jobs. There are now 3.8 million IT jobs and we expect to see continued growth throughout the year."

"In fact, the unemployment rate for professionals across many industries remains relatively low at approximately two percent, meaning that employers will continue to have a difficult time finding talent for open positions. However, many employers believe they now have the upper hand in the war for talent. The reality is that talent shortages remain in nearly every sector and region and the situation will only get worse in the years to come. The most innovative employers are using this time to focus on strategic planning, talent development and becoming an employer of choice. That way, they're better able to take advantage of opportunities now, as well as being in a good position to react quickly and strategically when the economy begins to improve."