IT worker confidence slid in December, with a growing number of tech professionals anticipating layoffs, according to a report released Jan. 3 by Hudson, a staffing firm based in New York.

Decrease in job satisfaction and a substantial rise in expected layoffs prompted a six point decrease in Hudson's IT professional index from the month prior. The latest reading is also 5.5 points lower than that of December 2004.

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Twenty-two percent of IT workers responded that they were expecting an increase in layoffs from their employers in the new year, up 8 percent from November.

Only 74 percent of IT workers reported satisfaction with their jobs in December, down 3 percent from November. In addition, more workers were worried about losing their jobs in December (23 percent) than in November (21 percent).

This drop in IT worker confidence was similar to that of the national work force. Hudson's national index also fell in December, dropping nearly 3 points as a result of increased job loss concerns as well as lowered job satisfaction.

Only 73 percent of workers nationally said they were happy with their current job, down two percent from November and the lowest reading in 16 months.

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The number of workers worried about losing their jobs rose from 17 to 18 percent in December, and jumped 3 percent among private firm managers, who also reported a 3 percent increase in expected layoffs.

The national confidence index however, unlike the IT index, held steady in hiring expectations.

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