The group's underlying earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) were down 9% at 266 million euros ($293.90 million), but above the 260 million euros seen in a company-compiled consensus.

The performance of staffing firms is seen as a bellwether for broader economic activity as companies' appetite for hiring indicates confidence in the economy.

"Macro economic environment remained challenging across our markets, which translated into lower hiring activities from our clients," the firm said in a statement, adding that this trend continued into early-April.

The Amsterdam-listed company said organic revenue per working day declined by 4.2%, with North America down 10%, while Northern Europe slipping 6%.

Peers PageGroup and Hays flagged slower hiring due to weakness in the permanent recruitment market as employers were turning to interim hires to ride out market uncertainty amid a tough economic outlook.

($1 = 0.9051 euros)

(Reporting by Romolo Tosiani; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)