Most U.S.-based organizations have no plans to increase their staff in the coming months, according to a new Gartner survey. But putting hiring on hold until 2010 may lead to more trouble for IT workers.

If you don't add staff when needed, it puts an incredible burden on your shrinking numbers. It will be an even bigger problem when the recession ends and you do not have enough people trained to do the work needed in the IT shop.

"Considering that workforce-related spending is the largest part of the IT budget, one of the primary challenges for CIOs and HR leaders for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010 will be finding ways to control labor costs while engaging and retaining the workforce," said Lily Mok, research vice president at Gartner, in a press release reported by CIO.com.

Gartner cautions that additional cuts, despite the need to adhere to the black, could be a big mistake. It could leave an IT shop needlessly understaffed at critical times. "The issue isn't about the number of candidates available for hire, but rather their quality and skill profiles," Mok told CIO.com.

With belts tightening, companies may be keeping current staff levels but cutting benefits for IT workers--that may include salary cuts--according to CIO.com. And the real question becomes: What happens when your company rebounds and there aren't enough tech personnel in your IT shop to keep things moving at a fast clip?

For more on IT budgets and the recession:
- check out this CIO.com article

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