The survey of human-resource executives at 175 mostly midsize and large U.S. firms by consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc. found that 33% plan to unfreeze salaries within the next six months and 79% within the next year. It appears that employers are becoming more optimistic and adding new jobs. Even if they are not adding new jobs, reducing number of layoffs alone will help the economy.

The Watson Wyatt survey found employers will be slower to restore changes in benefit programs — and many recent changes to health-care plans may become permanent. More details about the survey are here.