Nearly 1 in 10 employers to cut permanent headcount this year

And 1 in 2 employers will maintain current staff levels.

According to the 2017 Hays Asia Salary Guide, over the last 12 months, 42 per cent of employers in Hong Kong increased permanent staffing levels, 14 per cent decreased permanent headcount and 43 per cent kept permanent staffing levels unchanged.

In the year ahead, 40 per cent of employers in Hong Kong expect to increase permanent headcount, 9 per cent to decrease permanent staff levels and 51 per cent expect levels to remain unchanged.

Over half of Hong Kong employers (59 per cent) used temporary staffing in the last year. Of those employers, 57 per cent engaged contractors or temporary staff through a recruitment firm, 58 per cent engaged part time staff, 23 per cent hired casual employees and 24 per cent made use of job sharing arrangements.

This year, 20 per cent of employers expect to increase their use of temporary staff.