AMSTERDAM — Randstad NV, one of the world’s largest staffing companies, reported Wednesday that second-quarter hiring demand continued to improve across major markets, signaling the labor-market slowdown that has weighed on employers for more than two years may finally be bottoming out. The company released the update with its quarterly earnings report, where Chief Executive Sander van ’t Noordende said business activity strengthened through the quarter and continued improving into July. 

Randstad reported 1.9% organic revenue growth, exceeding analyst expectations, with North America, Germany, the United Kingdom and Southern Europe all contributing to the stronger performance. The company also said revenue in North America increased 4% from a year earlier, driven primarily by growth in blue-collar and temporary staffing. 

Company executives said employers remain cautious because of geopolitical uncertainty and economic risks, but many businesses are beginning to increase hiring for temporary and operational positions before expanding permanent workforces. Historically, temporary staffing tends to recover before full-time hiring during economic rebounds. 

The improvement is welcome news for businesses that have struggled with an uncertain labor market since interest rates began rising. Staffing companies are often viewed as an early indicator of broader employment trends because employers typically use temporary workers before committing to long-term hiring.

For job seekers, the report suggests opportunities may first emerge in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, transportation and other operational roles before spreading to professional and white-collar positions. Randstad noted that professional staffing remains softer than temporary hiring, reflecting employers’ continued caution when filling permanent positions. 

Investors welcomed the results, sending Randstad shares sharply higher after the company exceeded revenue expectations and expressed confidence that business conditions would continue improving during the second half of the year. 

While executives cautioned that global uncertainty has not disappeared, they said improving economic activity and stronger demand from larger corporate customers point to a healthier employment environment heading into the remainder of 2026. 

JBizNews Desk | Amsterdam

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