While the worker confidence level is more than 10 points higher from August 2011, it is 51.6 in August 2012, only 0.8 points down from July 2012, according to the most recent Randstad Employee Confidence Index. 

"While we saw a slight decline in the overall Index, the movement is minimal, and worker confidence in the strength of the economy and job availability continues to remain strong," says Jim Link, managing director of human resources for Randstad U.S. "When you look specifically at this time last year, we see that U.S. employees are reporting much higher levels of confidence — double-digit increases, in fact, when it comes to the economy. As we head towards the fourth quarter and the November election, we expect to see more of the same when it comes to U.S. job growth.

"Growth will likely still occur, just at a slower pace than many had hoped to see in the remaining few months of the year. That said, health care, education and professional services are likely to remain some of the strongest sectors."