Swiss employers are cautiously optimistic about the start of 2026. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, recruitment plans remain stable overall. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox However, many companies are planning their personnel decisions more carefully with a view to the first quarter of the coming year or are postponing some of them, according to the survey published on Tuesday by recruitment agency Manpower. The net employment outlook (NEO) rose by two percentage points compared to the previous quarter to 27% – but fell by two points compared to the previous year. This measures the proportion of companies that want to hire new employees minus those that are cutting staff. Companies are hesitant The majority of Swiss employers are keeping their headcount constant. Around a third feel that their existing teams are sufficient. Other companies are holding off on hiring new staff due to economic uncertainties or consider the market to be stable at present.