A new report shows a lot of Iowa companies plan to boost their workforces before the end of the year. The fourth quarter Manpower Employment Outlook Survey found 27-percent of the companies questioned about their hiring plans expect to increase staff levels between October and December. Another seven-percent plan to lay off workers, while 64-percent expect to maintain current staff levels.

The figures are weaker compared to the hiring intentions in the third quarter survey, but leaders of Iowa companies are more optimistic about adding to their payrolls than they were one year ago. While 27-percent of the Iowa companies surveyed expect to add workers over the next three months, more than 11,000 employers were surveyed across the U.S. and 21-percent anticipate adding to their workforces.

(Radio Iowa)