Research from talent management firm Ochre House shows more than a third (34%) of organisations have the same HR budget as last year and 16% have a bigger budget. And while 19% are making redundancies, 14% predict their headcount will increase this year.
Half the organisations surveyed (50%) said they would be awarding pay rises of 2%-3% this year, down from 56% in 2008.
Eight out of 10 organisations are optimistic about the economy in predicting things will improve either in or before 2010.
Chris Herrmannsen, CEO of Ochre House, said: "Although we are definitely well into a serious downturn, there appears to be a general unwillingness to shed staff if it can be avoided."
Employers keen to win the war for talent still plan pay rises despite the downturn
The war for talent rages on despite the recession as more than two thirds (67%) of employers are planning to award some form of pay rise in 2009.
