Signals of the future of work (Oct. 2020)

>> Business confidence shows signs of recovery

At the start of October, Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) published its Harmonized Index of Business Confidence, a metric reflecting Spanish business owners’ expectations regarding the performance of their businesses. This has a direct impact on the labour market, as employment levels largely hinge on these expectations. Amongst the good news, we should point out that business confidence has improved since the third quarter, although the numbers remain at rock bottom. Specifically, for every one business owner who believes a successful trimester awaits there are six who have serious reservations about how well their businesses will do in this period. By sector, the business owners with the bleakest outlook are those operating in the transport and