Trading Statement

28 June 2006

                                   HAYS PLC                                    
                                                                               
                                TRADING UPDATE                                 

Hays plc, the Specialist Recruitment Company, will announce its preliminary
results for the year ending 30 June on 5 September 2006 and today issues the
following trading update.

Since the announcement of the interim results in February, the business has
continued to generate good growth, with net fees in the second half of the
financial year expected to be approximately 14% ahead of the same period last
year. Both temporary and permanent placement fees are ahead of the same period
last year.

In the United Kingdom & Ireland, the business is expected to grow net fees at
approximately 7% for the second half of the financial year, with growth across
each of the major disciplines.

In Australia & New Zealand, second half net fees are expected to be
approximately 33% ahead of the same period last year, with double-digit growth
achieved across all specialisms in the region.

In Continental Europe & Canada, second half net fees are expected to be
approximately 39% ahead of the same period last year. Our German business, the
largest in the region continued to grow strongly.

The Group's performance for the year to 30 June 2006 continues to be in line
with the Board's expectations.

The Company has continued with its share buy-back programme. Since the start of
the programme in November 2004, the Company has acquired 263.2 million shares
representing 15% of the share capital and has returned £336.8 million to
shareholders.


Hays plc intends to enter into an irrevocable non-discretionary arrangement to
enable the repurchase of its own shares during its close period. Any share
purchases will be effected within certain pre-set parameters and in accordance
with both the Company's general authority to repurchase shares and the Listing
Rules.

                                   - Ends -                                    

Enquiries:

Paul Venables            Finance Director,Hays plc    + 44 (0) 20 7628 9999

Richard Jackson          Investor Relations,Hays plc  + 44 (0) 20 7628 9999

Mike Smith               Brunswick                    + 44 (0) 20 7404 5959

Paul Venables and Richard Jackson of Hays plc will conduct a conference call
for investors and analysts at 9.00am United Kingdom time on Wednesday 28 June
2006. The dial-in details are as follows:

Dial-in number:                                       + 44 (0) 1452 561 263

The call will be recorded and available for playback for 7 days as follows:

Replay dial-in number:                                + 44 (0) 1452 550 000

Access code: 1988465#