Employers Facing Increased Difficulty in Filling Jobs

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 23, 2016) - Express Employment Professionals released today new survey results revealing the increasing difficulty that employers face when trying to recruit and fill positions.

The findings come from a survey of 340 businesses. Respondents were asked, "Currently, how easy is it for you to recruit and fill positions?"

Only three per cent said "very easy," while 29 per cent said "somewhat easy." Almost half, 49 per cent, said "somewhat difficult," 16 per cent said "very difficult," and another three per cent said, "I don't know."

More respondents said "very difficult" or "somewhat difficult" (65 per cent) in this survey than in any of the four hiring trends surveys conducted by Express in 2015. The increase in reported difficulty corresponds with the decrease in the unemployment rate.

To view the survey results, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/0323eep.jpg

"As the unemployment rate has increased, it's disappointing that employers are still struggling to hire for their job openings," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express.

"We still have plenty of people who want jobs. Unfortunately, others have given up looking for work altogether. Part of the difficulty has been that the people who want to work may not have the skills that employers need."

The survey of 340 businesses, which are current and former clients of Express Employment Professionals, covers hiring trends for the first quarter of 2016.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 5 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 37 Express franchises in Canada - six in British Columbia, five in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 23 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.