Productivity rose at a slower rate in the fourth quarter, leading many to assume that companies are reaching the top productivity of current employees. Worker output per hour increased at 0.7%, lower than the 1.9% increase of the prior three months. Experts say that companies who need more productivity will begin hiring more workers in order to meet their goals.
See "Productivity in U.S. Rose at Slower Pace in Fourth Quarter", Alex Kowalski, Business Week, February 1, 2012