Trading Statement

Hays PLC
08 January 2004



                                                                  8 January 2004



                           HAYS PLC TRADING UPDATE

Hays plc will announce its interim results for the six months ended 31 December
on 9 March 2004 and today issues the following trading update.

Trading in the Personnel and UK Mail businesses remains in line with the Board's
expectations and there has been no material change in performance since the last
update provided with our AGM statement on 19 November 2003.

The Company will provide an update on further progress towards the
transformation of Hays into a focussed Specialist Recruitment and HR Services
business in March.

                                    - ends -



Enquiries


John Martin                   Finance Director                    0207 763 3296
Nicholas White                Investor Relations                  0207 763 3297
Jon Coles                     Brunswick                           0207 404 5959




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