Media Contact: Heather Nezich, Communications Manager, ASE, 248.223.8040, [email protected]

Livonia, Mich. ---November 30, 2017 --- The American Society of Employers (ASE), one of the nation’s oldest and largest employer associations, has released its 2017 Quarterly Economic & Employment Survey – Third Quarter results.

Highlights of ASE’s 2017 Quarterly Economic & Employment Survey – Third Quarter:

·        Future business outlook improved slightly from the previous quarter, but is still less positive compared to data collected in late 2016 and early 2017:

o   According to this most recent survey, the percentage of employers who anticipate improvements to future business conditions is just below 30%, up from 26% in the second quarter of 2017.

·        The six-month employment outlook remains largely unchanged from data collected in the previous quarter.  89% of organizations expect hiring levels to stay the same or increase compared to the past six months.  However, just 18% of respondents expect hiring will increase compared to previous six months.

·        The number of hires for exempt level staff decreased in September to a rate of less than 1% after climbing for much of 2017.

The survey results were announced by ASE President and CEO, Mary E. Corrado.  “It is encouraging to see some positive movement in the future business outlook among Michigan employers.  However, our data still shows that Michigan employers are reluctant, or unable, to increase hiring levels.  With Michigan’s current unemployment rate now at 4.5%, this lag in hiring may be driven by a lack of supply rather than lack of need,” she stated.

Background information on the ASE 2017 Quarterly Economic & Employment Survey – Third Quarter

·        126 organizations from across Michigan participated.

·        Organizations with one to 500 Michigan employees made up more than 85% of the survey sample, while organizations with 501 to 1,000 Michigan employees represented 2.4% of the sample. The remaining 11.8% of the sample comes from organizations with more than 1,000 Michigan employees.

·        A variety of industries are represented, with manufacturing organizations representing just over 60% of the survey sample.

To obtain a copy of ASE’s 2017 Quarterly Economic & Employment Survey – Third Quarter, contact ASE’s Compensation and Benefits Surveys department at [email protected] or 248.223.8051.  This survey is available free of charge to ASE members and is $525 for non-members.

About the American Society of Employers (ASE) – a Centennial Organization

Celebrating 115 years, the American Society of Employers (ASE) is a not-for-profit trade association providing people-management information and services to Michigan employers. Since 1902, member organizations have relied on ASE to be their single, cost-effective source for information and support, helping to grow their bottom line by enhancing the effectiveness of their people. Learn more about ASE at www.aseonline.org.