Employers lament redundancies

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A big majority of employers in New Zealand and Australia feel they had to make too many redundancies during the economic downturn, recruiting firm Hudson says.

A survey of 605 employers and 1690 employees - 21 per cent from New Zealand - found 80 per cent of employers were actively focused on growth, and 84 per cent felt they had had to make too many redundancies.

"There is definitely cautious optimism in the New Zealand marketplace, especially considering the mood recorded only one year ago," said Hudson New Zealand general manager Marc Burrage.

Among employees, 62 per cent said they were actively or passively job seeking.

Of those, 93 per cent were planning to be in a new role within 18 months.