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Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale Today!
ASA is holding a 24-hour Staffing World registration flash sale right now. Register online during the flash sale and get $150 off the current registration price. Get the flash sale details here.
Staffing World 2012, Oct. 9–11 in Las Vegas, is the premier industry event of the year. Check out schedules, workshop descriptions, exhibitors, and more in the digital Advance Program.
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ASA for You
Tomorrow—How Will the November Elections Affect Your Bottom Line?
New Report Analyzes State-Level E-Verify Policies
Sixth Circuit: FMLA Does Not Preclude Terminating an Employee the Day He Returns From Leave
‘Like a Bag of Bones’—Don’t Use Ageist Code Words!
Evidence of Upturn: Demand for Temporary Workers Is Strong
Survey: Small Businesses Holding Off on Hiring
Will Automation Kill or Create Jobs?
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Hudson Global Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results Hudson Global Inc. News Release (07/31/2012) Hudson Global Inc. today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30. Revenue of $204.8 million for the quarter represented a decrease of 17.2% from the same period in 2011, or 13.8% in constant currency. Hudson Americas’ revenues decreased 5% in the second quarter compared with the prior-year period. Permanent recruitment revenues grew by 41%. Temporary contracting revenues declined by 16%, primarily due to reduced project demand in Legal eDiscovery, compared with a strong second quarter a year ago. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were tightly controlled through both restructuring and strong cost management, resulting in a year-over-year reduction of 11%.
Heidrick & Struggles Reports 2012 Second Quarter Financial Results Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. News Release (07/31/12) Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30. Net revenue of $116.1 million declined 18.7% year over year. Net income fell to $1.9 million, or 10 cents per share, for the April-June quarter, from $7.4 million, or 41 cents per share, a year earlier. The number of executive search confirmations declined 24%. Net revenue in the Americas declined 14.9% year over year. Second quarter operating margin was 23.6% compared with 24.4% in the 2011 second quarter. Compared with the 2012 first quarter net revenue increased 10.8%. Operating income increased 24.2% sequentially, primarily reflecting the increase in net revenue. “Although revenue improved compared to the first quarter, confirmation trends fell short of our expectations and second quarter results were disappointing,” says L. Kevin Kelly, chief executive officer at Heidrick & Struggles. “Search confirmations were adversely impacted by increasing uncertainty about the pace of global economic recovery, including the euro-zone financial crisis, as well as continued weakness in hiring trends and investment spending generally.”
States’ Hidden Jobless Woes Wall Street Journal (07/31/12) Neil Shah According to Labor Department figures released late last week, states such as California are struggling not just with high unemployment, but also severe underemployment. California’s average unemployment rate from July 2011 through June 2012 was 11.2%, but its broader underemployment rate was far higher, at 20.3%. California has the biggest gap between its overall underemployment rate, the U-6, and a slightly narrower U-5 rate that includes discouraged and other workers but not those who work part-time but would prefer a full-time position. The U.S., as a whole, has a 6.8 percentage-point difference between its 8.5% average unemployment rate and 15.3% underemployment rate. Some states that are performing near or better than the national average in general unemployment have bigger underemployment problems.
Employment Cost Index Up 0.5% in Second Quarter MarketWatch (07/31/12) Greg Robb According to new U.S. Department of Labor numbers, the employment cost index rose 0.5% for all civilian workers in the second quarter, slightly more than the 0.4% increase in the first quarter. Employment costs have climbed 1.7% in the last year, the slowest increase since 2010′s April-June period. The employment cost index comprises wages and benefits. In the second quarter, wages—which account for 70% of employment costs—increased 0.4%, while benefits increased 0.6%.
ASA for You
Tomorrow—How Will the November Elections Affect Your Bottom Line?
You can’t afford to miss tomorrow’s free Webinar, “ Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues.” The ASA legal team will discuss potential lawsuits resulting from government guidance on the use of criminal background checks, mandates related to the health care reform law that are set to take effect in 2014, possible business changes resulting from the November elections, and other pressing issues that can affect your bottom line. The Webinar will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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ASA for You
Pssssst…Don’t Miss the Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
I-9 Forms: Should You E-Verify or Not?
Seventh Circuit Reaffirms That Use of Gender-Specific Term Does Not Automatically Constitute Harassment
Can We Give Comp Time Instead of Overtime Pay?
Is Temporary Hiring a Little Too Strong?
Are Skills Gaps the Real Issue?
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Did Registry Know Man Accused in Hepatitis C Outbreak Was Earlier Fired? CNN (07/28/12) Elizabeth Cohen A spokesperson for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists would not say Friday whether the group knew about a 2010 incident in which traveling technician David Kwiatkowski allegedly tested positive for illegal drugs and was fired from a Phoenix hospital. Following the termination, Kwiatkowski worked for four more hospitals in four other states. He allegedly has infected 30 people in New Hampshire with hepatitis C via used syringes. Exeter Hospital says it consulted the radiologic technologist registry prior to hiring Kwiatkowski and he held the required certification for the job.
ASA public relations professionals and the ASA health care section policy council are monitoring and responding to this rapidly developing story. Health care staffing firms contacted by news media are urged to contact ASA to be apprised of the latest developments. Please contact Melissa Beattie, ASA public relations coordinator, at mbeattie@americanstaffing.net or 703-253-2047.
Weak Economy Heads Lower Wall Street Journal (07/29/12) Neil Shah The U.S. economy grew just 1.5% in the second quarter as consumers cut their spending and companies grew more reluctant to hire and invest. Growth in the gross domestic product slowed substantially from the first quarter’s 2% annual rate and the fourth quarter’s 4.1% rate. The economic slowdown, coupled with government data indicating the recovery has been weaker than first thought, raises the possibility that a sudden economic jolt from Europe or the U.S. “fiscal cliff” could push the U.S. economy back into recession. However, the White House said Friday that the unemployment rate would fall to 7.9% from the current 8.2% by the end of the year.
White House Says More Economic Growth Needed for Hiring Reuters (07/27/12) Laura MacInnis; Matt Spetalnick Alan Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said Friday that the U.S. economy is growing despite a lackluster second quarter, but acknowledged that faster expansion is needed to boost additional hiring. “While the economy continues to move in the right direction, additional growth is needed to replace the jobs lost in the deep recession that began at the end of 2007,” Krueger stated.
Hiring Probably Limited by Slowing Growth: U.S. Economy Preview Bloomberg (07/29/12) Shobhana Chandra The median forecast of 68 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News ahead of U.S. Department of Labor figures set to be released Aug. 3 predicts a payroll increase of 100,000 workers will follow an 80,000 gain in June, with unemployment projected to hold at 8.2%. “The pace of hiring is pretty lackluster,” says Omair Sharif, a U.S. economist at RBS Securities Inc. “It’s going to be a painfully slow grind lower on the unemployment rate. Firms have become cautious as the U.S. is slowing a fair bit and global markets are getting worse.” Payroll gains slowed to an average 75,000 in the April to June period, down from 226,000 in the first quarter and the weakest in almost two years. The jobless rate has exceeded 8% since February 2009, the longest stretch in monthly records going back to 1948. “Given that growth is projected to be not much above the rate needed to absorb new entrants to the labor force, the reduction in the unemployment rate seems likely to be frustratingly slow,” U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said in testimony to Congress this month. Fed policy makers will meet ahead of the jobs report to decide whether additional stimulus is needed to combat a slowing economy as Europe’s debt crisis lingers.
ASA for You
Pssssst…Don’t Miss the Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
ASA is holding a 24-hour Staffing World registration flash sale tomorrow, July 31. Register online during the flash sale and get $150 off the current registration price. Get the flash sale details here. Staffing World 2012, Oct. 9–11 in Las Vegas, is the premier industry event of the year. Check out schedules, workshop descriptions, exhibitors, and more in the digital Advance Program.
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ASA for You
Pssssst…It’s a Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
Electronic Monitoring of Employees’ Telephone Conversations: A Quick Reminder for Employers
What Should We Do if We Suspect Employee Is Engaged in Workers’ Compensation Fraud?
When Sexual Harassment Accusations Fly, Investigate and Discipline Right Away
Can My Employer Terminate Me for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
One-Third of Doctors to Leave Medicine Within Next Decade
The Big Jobs Myth: American Workers Aren’t Ready for American Jobs
Companies Say Three Million Unfilled Positions in Skill Crisis: Jobs
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On Assignment Reports Record Second Quarter 2012 Results On Assignment Inc. News Release (07/26/12) On Assignment Inc. reported revenues for the second quarter of 2012 were $283.2 million, including $99.0 million from Apex Systems, which was acquired May 15. Revenues were up 97% year-over-year and up 70% from the preceding quarter. Revenue growth (excluding the acquisition of Apex Systems) was 28% over the second quarter of 2011. Net income was $8.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share and $13.0 million or $0.28 per diluted share excluding acquisition related costs.
Bleak Employment Market Sparks Staffing Firm Growth Birmingham Business Journal (Alabama) (07/27/12) Ryan Poe In metro Birmingham, AL, several locally based staffing firms have found the recession to be the best time to grow. The Onin Group and Personnel Staffing Inc. have both expanded with new offices outside the Birmingham market. Onin Group leaders say they owe their rapid growth largely to the recession, which has created a temporary work force boom. In the past year, Onin opened 15 offices, giving it a total of 52 offices in 11 states, says chief operating officer Jim Weaver. Year to date, revenues are already up about 50% over the past year, he adds. Personnel Staffing account executive Sylvia Wright says her company has added two branches—one in Tuscaloosa and the other in Chattanooga, TN—giving the company a total of seven offices. “The recession has affected our industry in a positive way,” Wright says. “There is an increase in business for staffing companies.” With the effects of the recession still lingering, Wright says, businesses are wary of committing to long-term employment. “It saves companies money if an employee does not work out,” she notes.
Iowa Sen. Harkin Seeks 20% Hike in Employment of Nation’s Disabled People Des Moines Register (07/26/12) William Petroski Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is working with companies, government, and nonprofit organizations to add one million disabled individuals—a 20% increase—to the work force by 2015. “The business community has shown many examples that employing people with disabilities is not an act of charity,” Harkin says. “It is actually good for your bottom line and companies are showing that with modest accommodations people with disabilities can be highly productive and may be in some cases more productive than their nondisabled peers.” Harkin spoke on July 26, the 22nd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which is considered his signature legislative achievement during his 28 years as a U.S. senator.
ASA for You
Pssssst…It’s a Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
ASA is holding a 24-hour Staffing World registration flash sale on Tuesday, July 31. Register online during the flash sale and get $150 off the current registration price. Get the flash sale details here. Staffing World 2012, Oct. 9–11 in Las Vegas, is the premier industry event of the year. Check out schedules, workshop descriptions, exhibitors, and more in the digital Advance Program.
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
Is your company prepared for what’s coming next? Succeeding in the staffing business means always being one step ahead of the next industry trend, regulatory shift, or legislative change. Stay ahead of the curve with a free Webinar from ASA. Plan to attend “ Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues” Wednesday, Aug. 1, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern time. The ASA legal team will discuss potential lawsuits resulting from government guidance on the use of criminal background checks, mandates related to the health care reform law that are set to take effect in 2014, possible business changes resulting from the November elections, and other pressing issues that can affect your bottom line. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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ASAPro Webinar—Working With Hospital Clients
Pssssst…It’s a Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
Employers Ordered to Repay Foreign Workers
Eleventh Circuit Finds DHL Express Not a Joint Employer Under FLSA
For Temporary Workers, ‘Temporary’ Looking More Permanent
Small Firms Seek Skilled Workers But Can’t Find Any
Who Is Managing Work Force Management?
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Randstad Q2 2012: Gradual Slowdown Continues Randstad News Release (07/26/12) Randstad reported revenue for the second quarter of 4,303.1 million. North American revenue grew by 7% per working day in the second quarter of 2012 compared with 8% in the first quarter. “We still see a mixed picture in an uncertain environment, illustrated by growth in North America, Asia, and Latin America and a gradual slowdown in Europe,” says Randstad chief executive officer Ben Noteboom. “Our colleagues in the U.S. and Japan did particularly well this quarter, growing both revenue and profit.”
TrueBlue Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results TrueBlue News Release (07/25/12) TrueBlue Inc. has reported revenue for the second quarter of 2012 of $354 million, an increase of 11% compared with revenue of $320 million for the second quarter of 2011. Net income for the quarter was $10.3 million or $0.26 per diluted share, compared with net income of $8.5 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2011. “We executed very well this quarter,” said TrueBlue chief executive officer Steve Cooper. “Our team delivered double-digit growth in revenue and profits. Our services are increasingly relevant to customers who are turning to us as they manage their businesses through this uncertain economic environment. Our disciplined approach to managing our business will continue to drive growth and deliver value over the long term.”
CDI Corp. Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results CDI Corp. News Release (07/26/12) CDI Corp. today reported revenue of $274.4 million for the second quarter ended June 30, up 4.4% compared with the prior-year second quarter. The gross profit margin of 20.2% for the quarter compared with 21.7% in the same period last year. Operating profit of $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared with $13.7 million in second-quarter 2011. The company reported net income of $5.0 million in the second quarter, compared with $12.0 million in the prior-year second quarter. “We are pleased that the company’s second quarter performance includes revenue growth in all three business segments,” says CDI president and chief executive officer, Paulett Eberhart. “Operating income, net income, and earnings per share also showed significant gains, excluding the previously identified items in the second quarter 2011, and we achieved these increases despite economic headwinds in the government-funded defense and infrastructure sectors.”
Jobless Claims in U.S. Decrease, Extending July Volatility Bloomberg (07/26/12) Lorraine Woellert The number of people who filed applications for unemployment benefits fell by 35,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 353,000, marking the third straight week of sharp swings, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Economists forecasted 380,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. DOL says changes in the annual auto plant shutdowns that occur this time of year have made it difficult to adjust the data for seasonal variations. Auto manufacturers used to schedule brief shutdowns of plants every July to retool for new models, but the size of temporary layoffs has varied widely since the industry was bailed out several years ago. That makes the claims report especially volatile in July and less useful in gauging labor-market trends.
Hepatitis Outbreak in New Hampshire Strikes Fear in Seven Other States CNN Health (07/25/2012) Joe Sterling; Elizabeth Cohen; William Hudson David Kwiatkowski, a traveling medical technician who was hired by Exeter Hospital in October 2011, has been charged with spreading hepatitis C there when he allegedly injected himself with painkillers meant for patients and left the syringes to be reused. Over the last five years, Kwiatkowski also worked on a contract basis at hospitals in Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, and officials in these states want to determine if he may have spread the disease to patients at those facilities as well. Triage Staffing, which placed Kwiatkowski at Exeter Hospital, faces a negligence complaint and a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Omaha, NE.
ASA for You
ASAPro Webinar—Working With Hospital Clients
This afternoon at 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time, staffing professionals who work in the health care sector should attend the ASA Pro Webinar “ Value-Added Service: Partnering With Hospital Clients to Improve Patient Value-Based Care.” Barbara L. O’Brien RN, MSN, of Magnetic HealthCare Strategies, will help you understand the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and how you can use HCAHPS survey data to educate and better negotiate with clients. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
Pssssst…It’s a Staffing World® 2012 Flash Sale!
ASA is holding a 24-hour Staffing World registration flash sale on Tuesday, July 31. Register online during the flash sale and get $150 off the current registration price. Get the flash sale details here. Staffing World 2012, Oct. 9–11 in Las Vegas, is the premier industry event of the year. Check out schedules, workshop descriptions, exhibitors, and more in the digital Advance Program.
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ASA for You
ASAPro Webinar Tomorrow—Working With Hospital Clients
An Employer Can Be Sued by the Dept. of Justice for Its Electronic I-9 Provider’s Flaws
Test Pattern or Job Discrimination? The Paradox of Ability Tests in Hiring
Seventh Circuit: Under ADA, Disabled Don’t Automatically Get Vacant Job
EEOC Aggressively Enforcing Disability Act
Reverse Discrimination and Transfers as ADA Accommodations
Workers’ Comp Claim? Resist Urge to Retaliate!
IT Worker Confidence Dips as Concerns Over Economy Prevail
New Trends Emerging in Hiring for Social Media Skills
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Robert Half International Reports Second-Quarter Financial Results PR Newswire (07/24/12) Robert Half International Inc. has reported revenues and earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012. Net income was $45.3 million, or $.32 per share, on revenues of $1.03 billion. Net income and income per share this quarter were reduced by $8.1 million, or $.06 per share, related to a nonrecurring litigation settlement and the resolution of certain tax matters disclosed in the company’s July 5, 2012, Form 8-K filing. Net income for the prior year’s second quarter was $36.4 million, or $.25 per share, on revenues of $938.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, net income was $93.7 million, or $.67 per share, on revenues of $2.04 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net income was $63.1 million, or $.43 per share, on revenues of $1.82 billion. “Demand for our specialized staffing and consulting services remained strong during the quarter, particularly in our U.S. staffing operations, which grew 17% versus the prior year,” said Harold M. Messmer Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Robert Half International. “Gross margins continued to expand with an increasing mix of permanent placement and temporary-to-hire conversion revenues.”
BBSI Reports Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results Barrett Business Services News Release (07/24/12) Barrett Business Services Inc. has reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012. Net revenues in the second quarter of 2012 increased 26% to $95.5 million, compared with $76.0 million in the second quarter of 2011. Gross revenues in the second quarter of 2012 increased 35% to $494.1 million, compared with $366.9 million in the second quarter of 2011. Net income in the second quarter of 2012 was $3.7 million or $0.53 per diluted common share, compared with net income of $3.4 million or $0.34 per diluted common share in the year-ago quarter. “The 35% increase in gross revenues represents our tenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year double-digit sales growth and an all-time record level of quarterly gross revenue,” said Michael Elich, president and chief executive officer of BBSI. “The results of another record quarter are attributed to the return we are realizing from our investment back into the organization, which is supporting continued pipeline growth and rewarding execution in the field.”
Mastech Holdings Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results Mastech Holdings News Release (07/25/12) Mastech Holdings Inc. has announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012. Revenues for the second quarter were $25.3 million, which represented a 14% increase over the corresponding quarter last year and approximately a 4% improvement over first-quarter 2012 results. Gross profit in the second quarter of 2012 totaled $4.8 million compared with $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2011. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of 2012 totaled $458,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with $382,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Demand for the company’s staffing services remained solid during the second quarter as the company grew its information technology billable consultant-base by 5% and achieved sequential revenue growth for the eighth consecutive quarter in its health care staffing business. Overall gross margins in the second quarter showed a marked improvement over the previous quarter, but continued to be impacted negatively by emerging supply-side pricing pressures in the marketplace.
Fed Moves Closer to Action Wall Street Journal (07/24/12) Jon Hilsenrath Continued sluggish economic growth and high unemployment have U.S. Federal Reserve officials anxious about what new steps should be taken to spur activity and hiring. Since the June policy meeting, members of the committee have testified and spoken about the increased need for action, but officials are still unsure of when and how to move. Officials will meet July 31-Aug. 1 and could make a decision to spur economic growth at that time or wait until their September meeting after accumulating additional information about the pace of growth and job gains. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department is expected to report that the economy grew at a rate below 2% in the second quarter after just a 1.9% expansion in the first quarter. The unemployment rate has moved little since January and remained at 8.2% in June.
ASA for You
ASAPro Webinar Tomorrow—Working With Hospital Clients
Tomorrow from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time, staffing professionals who work in the health care sector should attend the ASA Pro Webinar “ Value-Added Service: Partnering With Hospital Clients to Improve Patient Value-Based Care.” Barbara L. O’Brien RN, MSN, of Magnetic HealthCare Strategies, will help you understand the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and how you can use HCAHPS survey data to educate and better negotiate with clients. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
July Staffing Up 4.4% From a Year Ago
Staffing employment in July is up 4.4% from July 2011, according to the ASA Staffing Index.
The index value for June is 92, indicating that staffing employment is approximately 1.9% lower than that reported for the previous month.
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ASA for You
Today’s ASAPro Webinar—Time Wasters and Solutions
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
Wage-and-Hour Lawsuits on the Rise
Be Wary of Hitting Employee With Sudden Criticism After FMLA Request
Facebook Posts From an Employee’s Termination Meeting? Plan for It
Is the NLRB Going After At-Will Provisions?
Problems With Obesity in the Workplace
What Is the EEOC Mediation Program and Why Should It Be Considered?
Fewer Employers Conducting Credit, Criminal Checks of Job Applicants: SHRM
Does Moving Up Mean Moving On?
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CTG Reports Second Quarter EPS Increase of 47% to $0.25 CTG News Release (07/23/12) CTG has announced its financial results for the 2012 second quarter, which ended on June 29, 2012. Diluted net income per share for the 2012 second quarter included one-time proceeds of $0.4 million, included in other income, from life insurance proceeds paid to the company upon the death of CTG co-founder and director Randolph A. Marks. Excluding this nonrecurring gain, net income per diluted share for the 2012 second quarter would have been $0.22, 29% higher than the 2011 second quarter. “CTG’s second-quarter results were strong across the board with revenue, operating income and margin, and earnings per share all making significant gains over last year,” says CTG chairman and chief executive officer James R. Boldt. “Our health care division, which is CTG’s most profitable business unit, continues to perform very well with a 25% increase in revenue in the quarter to one-third of the company’s total revenue.”
Staffing Firm Sued Over NH Hepatitis C Outbreak Associated Press (07/23/12) Holly Ramer Robert Fowler, a New Hampshire man diagnosed with hepatitis C, is suing Nebraska-based Triage Staffing Inc., alleging the staffing firm was negligent in hiring, employing, and supervising David Kwiatkowski, a traveling medical technician who worked for the firm. Fowler’s lawyer, Domenic Paolini, says Triage should have known about the likelihood that Kwiatkowski would cause harm and that the staffing firm intentionally misrepresented his qualifications and employment history.
According to an Associated Press report, officials at Exeter Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Hospital say Kwiatkowski underwent drug testing and a criminal background check before being hired. Exeter Hospital says it hired Kwiatkowski to a full-time position in October 2011, at which time it performed additional background checks on him.
Kforce Sees Drop in Government Services Revenue Associated Press (07/23/12) Kforce says it will book a pretax charge of between $60 million and $70 million to its second-quarter results because of a decline in the value of its companies that work with government agencies. The companies comprise about 8% of Kforce’s total revenue. The company says the revenue is being hurt by “increasingly significant delays” in getting already-funded government projects started.
ASA for You
Today’s ASAPro Webinar—Time Wasters and Solutions
Don’t miss today’s ASA Pro Webinar, “ Time Wasters and Solutions.” Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS, of HR Search Inc. and Good As Gold Training Inc. will help you eliminate time wasters and accomplish more each day. All Webinars take place from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
You won’t want to miss the free Webinar “ Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues” next Wednesday, Aug. 1, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern time. The ASA legal team will discuss potential lawsuits resulting from government guidance on the use of criminal background checks, mandates related to the health care reform law that are set to take effect in 2014, possible business changes resulting from the November elections, and other pressing issues that can affect your bottom line. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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Now Live: Staffing World® Digital Advance Program
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
Making Mistakes in FLSA Exemptions Can Be Costly for Employers
FedEx Pays $3 Million to Settle Hiring Bias Charges
Second Circuit Affirms a Broader Definition of ‘Executive’ FLSA Exemption
Absent-Minded Employees: Four Steps to Get Absenteeism Under Control
U.S. Auto Companies Will Add Employees and Expand Facilities This Year
Heidrick & Struggles Survey Reveals Talent Relocation Trend
Are 2012 Career Predictions Coming True?
Net Firms’ Hiring Slows in Hub, But Not in New York
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As California Warehouses Grow, Labor Issues Are a Concern New York Times (07/22/12) Jennifer Medina Community leaders see the warehousing jobs available in California’s Inland Empire as an opportunity for low-skilled workers. However, some of the staffing firms the warehouses use to hire temporary employees have run afoul of labor laws. Often investigations have been stymied, says California labor commissioner Julie A. Su, because so many warehouses use staffing firms, which classify employees as temporary, even though they may work for years in the same building.
ASA and its affiliated chapter, California Staffing Professionals, are engaged in a dialogue with state legislators and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement commissioner regarding the alleged abuses and the state’s efforts to address them. ASA and CSP are seeking solutions that will prevent the alleged abuses while not unfairly and unjustifiably overburdening lawful staffing firms doing business in California.
Kansas Hospital Warns Patients About Hepatitis C Associated Press (07/21/12) About 460 former patients of Hays Medical Center in Kansas might have been exposed to hepatitis C by a traveling hospital technician, said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The technician, David Kwiatkowski, allegedly infected patients with the virus by injecting himself with anesthetic drugs and thus contaminating syringes that would later be used on patients. According to U.S. Attorney John Kacavas, Kwiatkowski is a “serial infector” who has worked in at least six states since 2007.
Temporary Worker Hiring Surge Accounts for One-Third of U.S. Job Growth Dayton Daily News (Ohio) (07/22/12) Cornelius Frolik Hiring of temporary employees accounted for about one-third of U.S. job gains in June, according to federal labor data. The U.S. staffing industry as a whole has added about 776,000 jobs since 2009, more than most industries. “It’s generally not cost effective to try to replace a full-time worker—when a company has a full-time need—with a temporary employee, because you will have all the costs associated with the employee that the staffing firm is going to include in its bill rate,” says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive of the American Staffing Association. “The principal reasons companies use temporary workers are flexibility and access to talent.”
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Now Live: Staffing World® Digital Advance Program
The Staffing World 2012 Advance Program is now live on the ASA Digital platform. The print edition of the Advance Program lands in mailboxes nationwide this week. The Advance Program includes convenient at-a-glance schedules, workshop descriptions and other executive education details, expo hall information, networking opportunities, and everything you need to start planning your Staffing World experience. The interactive digital edition also features video footage and offers an easy way to share information via e-mail and social networks. Check out the Advance Program and register for Staffing World, Oct. 9–11, in Las Vegas.
Free Webinar on Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues
You won’t want to miss the free Webinar “ Staffing Industry Legislative and Regulatory Issues” next Wednesday, Aug. 1, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern time. The ASA legal team will discuss potential lawsuits resulting from government guidance on the use of criminal background checks, mandates related to the health care reform law that are set to take effect in 2014, possible business changes resulting from the November elections, and other pressing issues that can affect your bottom line. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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ASA for You
Check Out the One-Stop Shop for ASA Member Benefits
ASA: California Staffing Firms Should Act Now to Oppose AB 1744
Uniforms: Are Deductions From Pay Allowed?
Minneapolis Temporary Staffing Firm Owner Gets Prison for Skimming
Most U.S. Firms Expect No Layoffs for Rest of Year
Second Quarter IQNdex Illustrates U.S. Enterprises Seeing Higher Prices for Temporary Information Technology Labor to Build the ‘Next Big Thing’
Study: More Competition for Contract, Freelance, and Temporary Work
Longer Hours Hint at Talent Shortages for Some Jobs
Shipyard Staffing: Balancing Supply and Demand
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ManpowerGroup Reports 2nd Quarter and First Half 2012 Results ManpowerGroup News Release (07/20/12) ManpowerGroup today reported that net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2012, were 51 cents, compared with 87 cents in the prior-year period. Net earnings in the second quarter were $41.0 million, compared with $72.7 million a year earlier. Revenues for the second quarter were $5.2 billion, a decrease of 8% from the year-earlier period, or a decrease of 1% in constant currency. U.S. revenues in the second quarter declined 3.6%, from $791.6 billion in 2011 to $763.2 million this year; profits declined 71.6%, from $27.2 million last year to $7.7 million in this year’s second quarter. Included in the current year second quarter results are a reorganization charge of $18.7 million and legal settlement costs of $10.0 million. ManpowerGroup chairman and chief executive officer Jeffrey A. Joerres says, “We are anticipating the third quarter of 2012 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of 64 to 72 cents.”
Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. Declines Conference Board News Release (07/19/12) The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. declined 0.3% in June to 95.6 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4% increase in May and a 0.1% decline in April. “The U.S. economy is growing very slowly,” says Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein. “The CEI basically reflects this steady but soft pace of overall economic activity. The LEI is pointing to no strengthening over the next few months, as the economy continues to sail through strong headwinds domestically and internationally.”
Factory, Jobs Data Show U.S. Economy Mired in Weakness Reuters (07/19/12) Lucia Mutikani The U.S. economy continued to contract in the third quarter as factory output in the mid-Atlantic region fell to a 1.4% annual rate in the second quarter after a brisk 9.8% pace in the first three months of the year and new claims for unemployment benefits climbed last week. “The data confirm that the economy has cooled off pretty considerably late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter from the pace we saw earlier in the year,” said RBS economist Omair Sharif. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said its business activity index for the mid-Atlantic region posted a reading of minus 12.9 in July, compared with minus 16.6 in June. A reading below zero indicates contraction in output in factories in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
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Check Out the One-Stop Shop for ASA Member Benefits
The benefits of ASA membership cover so many aspects of your business that the association has created a microsite called Membership Matters to give you a quick and comprehensive look at all the resources that could be at your fingertips right now. Among the top benefits of joining ASA today is getting the member registration rate for Staffing World, Oct. 9–11, in Las Vegas. Join ASA today and register for Staffing World—the can’t-miss event for staffing executives—and save up to $150 per person.
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Workplace: OSHA Complaint Filed Against Warehouse Operators
Unsafe and Unfair: Labor Conditions in the Warehouse Industry
Discrimination Against Pregnant Employees, Caregivers Still Tops EEOC’s List
DOL Finds Sarbanes-Oxley’s Whistleblower Protections Applicable to Employees of Contractors
IT Hiring Remains Strong, Says Survey
Quality of IT Personnel Most Important to IT Staffing Buyers, Compensation Key for IT Professionals
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Jobless Claims in U.S. Rise as Auto Plant Layoff Effects Ease Bloomberg (07/19/12) Alex Kowalski More U.S. workers than anticipated filed first-time unemployment claims last week as the volatility sparked by the yearly auto-plant retooling period wore off. Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 34,000 to 386,000 in the week ended July 14, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Economists had predicted 365,000 claims. The less-volatile four-week moving average declined to 375,500 from 377,000.
Fed Survey: Growth, Hiring Slowed in Parts of U.S. Bloomberg BusinessWeek (07/18/12) Martin Crutsinger The Federal Reserve’s “beige book” survey shows only modest economic expansion in June and early July and indicates that hiring slowed in most of the 12 banking districts covered by the report. The unemployment rate held steady at 8.2% in June, and new jobs declined from an average of 226,000 per month during the first three months of the year to 75,000 per month for the April through June period. However, economists generally believe that the central bank will hold off on another round of quantitative easing.
ASA: Businesses Remain Cautious as Slow Economic Growth Continues
Although hiring activity was characterized as “tepid” across most of the country, business contacts remain cautious but optimistic about future conditions. Read the ASA analysis of hiring and staffing in the beige book at americanstaffing.net.
Defense Contractors Say Hiring Slows Before Budget Cuts Bloomberg BusinessWeek (07/18/12) Laura Litvan Defense contractors have already pulled back on hiring in response to across-the-board defense cuts slated for Jan. 2. Robert Stevens, chairman and chief executive of Lockheed Martin Corp., says college students are showing skepticism in their dealings with recruiters about whether they would still have a job next year. If the federal government moves forward with plans to lower defense spending, Stevens says an estimated 10,000 jobs at the company would be eliminated.
ASA for You
Check Out the One-Stop Shop for ASA Member Benefits
The benefits of ASA membership cover so many aspects of your business that the association has created a microsite called Membership Matters to give you a quick and comprehensive look at all the resources that could be at your fingertips right now. Among the top benefits of joining ASA today is getting the member registration rate for Staffing World, Oct. 9–11, in Las Vegas. Join ASA today and register for Staffing World—the can’t-miss event for staffing executives—and save up to $150 per person.
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ASAPro Webinars Next Week—Time Management; Partnering With Hospital Clients
Hotel Worker ‘Blacklisting’ Ban Approved by Council
EEOC Suffers Another Blow—10th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Employer Against the Commission
What Constitutes Racial Harassment?
Some Firms Opt to Bring Manufacturing Back to U.S.
Putting Employees Back in Human Resources
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Temporary Work Demand Rises as Companies Avoid Commitments: Jobs Bloomberg BusinessWeek (07/18/12) Anna Louise Jackson; Steve Matthews; Anthony Feld Demand for temporary employees is on the rise as companies seek more flexible staffing arrangements. This has helped create a change within the labor force, as a “not-easily-forgotten recession” has made many executives cautious about hiring. A “flex supercycle” is driving business for Kforce Inc., because a “historically disproportionate” share of new jobs is coming from the temporary staffing industry, says Michael Blackman, chief corporate development officer for the firm. He says that in the past, hiring of temporary employees foreshadowed improvement in the broader job market, but this time may be different as companies utilize temporary employees for a longer time. The increase in demand may boost staffing firms’ financial results. The health care law and its associated costs are also creating anxiety among companies, prompting many customers of Kelly Services to use temporary employees instead of boosting their permanent headcount, says president and chief executive officer Carl Camden. Jeffrey Joerres, chief executive officer of ManpowerGroup, says executives are delaying hiring so they don’t get “caught with too many people.” Clients say that is “painful, it’s expensive, it hurts morale.”
Bernanke Predicts Slow Progress on Unemployment Bloomberg (07/17/12) Joshua Zumbrun; Craig Torres In July 17 testimony to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, said it will take time to lower the unemployment rate due to the European financial crisis, the possibility of U.S. fiscal tightening, and the fact that high jobless rates and tighter credit standards have slowed household spending. “Given that growth is projected to be not much above the rate needed to absorb new entrants to the labor force, the reduction in the unemployment rate seems likely to be frustratingly slow,” he said. Bernanke did not pledge any new policies, but he said the Fed will take steps to jump start the recovery if needed. Any support to the economy, he said, must consider “both the need for long-run sustainability and the fragility of the recovery.”
OSHA Issues Alert to Employers, Notes Possible Heat-Related Death of Trenton Man NJ.com (07/18/12) Joshua Rosenau The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has advised Mercer County, NJ, employers to give their employees adequate relief from high temperatures, in the wake of the death of a local employee more than a month ago. In May, Mark Jefferson, a Labor Ready employee, took ill while working at a Waste Management plant during a period of extreme heat. The investigation into Jefferson’s death is ongoing, but the circumstances surrounding it carried many of the indications associated with heat sickness.
OSHA Offers Heat Safety Tools
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides resources on its Web site to help prevent heat-related illnesses at work. Visit osha.gov for more information.
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ASAPro Webinars Next Week—Time Management; Partnering With Hospital Clients
Don’t miss these ASA Pro Webinars next week that can help you work more efficiently and improve your health care staffing operations. Tuesday, July 24: “ Time Wasters and Solutions.” Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS, of HR Search Inc. and Good As Gold Training Inc. will help you eliminate time wasters so you can accomplish more each day. Thursday, July 26: “ Value-Added Service: Partnering With Hospital Clients to Improve Patient Value-Based Care.” Learn about the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and how you can use it to increase your negotiating power. All Webinars take place from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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ASAPro Webinars Next Week—Time Management; Partnering With Hospital Clients
Service Businesses Lead Uneven Jobs Recovery
Health Care IT Hiring Trends
Rate of IT Job Growth Slows in June
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Consumer Price Index in U.S. Was Unchanged, Core Up 0.2% Bloomberg (07/17/12) Shobhana Chandra The Consumer Price Index was unchanged in June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, although the core measure that excludes volatile food and energy costs rose 0.2%. Producer prices rose 0.1%, the first gain in four months. The current CPI numbers are a sign inflation may stay subdued.
65% of Americans Think the President Impacts Job Creation Korn/Ferry International News Release (07/16/12) With a tepid 80,000 jobs created last month, a recent Korn/Ferry poll of U.S. workers with incomes of more than $50,000 revealed that 63% believe an American president has a big impact on job creation. Yet just 45% of respondents think the U.S. has invested in technologies that create jobs. According to Gary Burnison, chief executive officer of Korn/Ferry International, the current capital market uncertainty in Europe slows hiring in the U.S. and around the globe in general. “Companies forecast demand for goods and services. Obviously with the highest unemployment ever in Europe, it reduces consumer demand. Lower demand makes CEOs less willing to invest in hiring as they are uncertain of a payback,” Burnison says.
Hiring Boon Predicted After Health Care Law Ruling by U.S. Supreme Court Rockford Register Star (Illinois) (07/16/12) Sean F. Driscoll Experts believe the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the federal health care law will increase demand for qualified health care workers, including primary care physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, and care managers. “Jobs that support the medical management of people in an outpatient arena will continue to grow,” says Dr. Bill Gorski, president and chief executive of SwedishAmerican Health System in Rockford, IL. Demand also will rise for employees in health care support industries, including medical records and billing companies.
ASA for You
ASAPro Webinars Next Week—Time Management; Partnering With Hospital Clients
Don’t miss these ASA Pro Webinars next week that can help you work more efficiently and improve your health care staffing operations. Tuesday, July 24: “ Time Wasters and Solutions.” Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS, of HR Search Inc. and Good As Gold Training Inc. will help you eliminate time wasters so you can accomplish more each day. Thursday, July 26: “ Value-Added Service: Partnering With Hospital Clients to Improve Patient Value-Based Care.” Learn about the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and how you can use it to increase your negotiating power. All Webinars take place from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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Recruiter Misuse of Social Media Can Increase Risk of Liability
South Carolina Mandatory E-Verify Law Goes Into Effect
EEOC Pushes Forward on Hispanic-Bias Cases
NJ Workers Find Strength in Temporary Jobs
Could Facebook Recruiting Unseat LinkedIn? Not as Easy as You Think
Gamification: Buzzword or Requirement?
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Fewer U.S. Companies Planning to Hire; Europe Looms—Poll Reuters (07/16/12) Jason Lange U.S. companies are curbing plans to hire new employees, and an increasing number of companies feel the European debt crisis is negatively affecting their sales, according to a survey by the National Association for Business Economics. Just 23% of the companies surveyed intend to hire additional staff in the next six months. NABE’s prior survey, conducted in March and April, indicated that 39% of companies planned to hire new employees.
Economic Growth Gauge Rises: ECRI Reuters (07/13/12) Anna Louie Sussman The Economic Cycle Research Institute’s Weekly Leading Index, a measure of future economic growth, rose to 123.2 in the week ended July 6, the highest level since May 11. The index’s annualized growth rate rose to -2.2% from a revised -2.8% a week earlier.
ASA for You
Check Out the One-Stop Shop for ASA Member Benefits
The benefits of ASA membership cover so many aspects of your business that the association has created a microsite called Membership Matters to give you a quick and comprehensive look at all the resources that could be at your fingertips right now. Among the top benefits of joining ASA today is getting the member registration rate for Staffing World, Oct. 9–11, in Las Vegas. Join ASA today and register for Staffing World—the can’t-miss event for staffing executives—and save up to $150 per person.
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Big Step Forward on High-Skilled Immigration Bill
What Employers Need to Know About the Immigration Reform and Control Act
Can an ‘At-Will’ Employment Disclaimer Violate the NLRA?
Labor Letter—July 2012: Liability Beyond Your Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Workers’ Compensation Lost-Time Claim Frequency Down 1% in 2011: NCCI
Lump Sums Assist Rather Than Discourage Return to Work, Says New WCRI Study
Fewer Auto Closings Reduce U.S. Unemployment Claims
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Resources Connection Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results for Fiscal 2012 Resources Connection Inc. News Release (07/12/12) Resources Connection Inc. reported total revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 was $145.5 million, up 1.5% on a sequential quarter basis and even with last year’s fourth quarter revenue. Revenues in the U.S. were up 4.6% quarter-over-quarter and 3.8% sequentially, while international revenues decreased 11.7% quarter-over-quarter and 4.4% sequentially (7.4% quarter-over-quarter and 4.4% sequentially on a constant dollar basis). The company’s net income for the fourth quarter ended May 26 was $8.9 million, compared with a net income for the fourth quarter ended May 28, 2011, of $5.4 million.
100,000 Jobs Mission: 18,249 Veterans Hired Through Second Quarter 2012 MarketWatch (07/12/12) The 100,000 Jobs Mission, a coalition of 55 companies committed to hiring at least 100,000 veterans by 2020, collectively hired 18,249 veterans through June 30. This number is up from 12,179 veterans hired through the end of March of this year. “We are very happy at the progress this coalition has made so far,” says Frank Bisignano, chief administrative officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co., a founding member of the 100,000 Jobs Mission. “But we remain focused on our goal. The number of unemployed veterans continues to be high, and more businesses need to recognize the tremendous talent, intellect, and skill our servicemen and women can bring to their organizations.” The 100,000 Jobs Mission was launched in March 2011 by 11 companies and since has grown to 55 companies. The 100,000 Jobs Mission is focused on expanding the coalition with other companies committed to providing employment opportunities for transitioning military members and veterans.
ASA for You
Check Out the One-Stop Shop for ASA Member Benefits
The benefits of ASA membership cover so many aspects of your business that the association has created a microsite called Membership Matters to give you a quick and comprehensive look at all the resources that could be at your fingertips right now. Among the top benefits of joining ASA today is getting the member registration rate for Staffing World, Oct. 9–11, in Las Vegas. Join ASA today and register for Staffing World—the can’t-miss event for staffing executives—and save up to $150 per person.
Join More Than 800 Staffing Firms at Today’s Health Care Reform Webinar
More than 800 staffing firm offices are registered to attend today’s ASAPro Webinar; your firm should be too.
The ASAPro Webinar “Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms” will take place today from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Edward A. Lenz of ASA; Alden Bianchi of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo PC; and ASA past chairman Jim Essey, CSP, of the TemPositions Group of Cos. will discuss the court’s ruling and explain the steps staffing firms should take to prepare for the law’s implementation.
ASAPro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASAPro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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Reminder: This Is the Nonmember Version of Staffing Today
States Take the Lead in Contractor Misclassification Crackdown
Michigan House Passes New ‘Tax’ on Private Contract Workers to Pay for Retirement System Liabilities
E-Verify Mandated for Public Works Contractors and Subs in Pennsylvania as of Jan. 1, 2013
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South Bend Company Peoplelink Makes Acquisition Inside Indiana Business (07/11/12) South Bend, IN-based Peoplelink Staffing Solutions has acquired Hamilton Personnel of Buena Vista, VA. Peoplelink officials say the purchase will better serve the needs of the firm’s customers in the Buena Vista, Lexington, Augusta County, and Roanoke marketplace. Peoplelink currently operates an office in that market and will consolidate the Hamilton branch into its current operation.
Command Center Announces Second Quarter Revenue Up 18.3% to $24 Million Command Center Inc. News Release (07/09/12) Command Center Inc. has reported revenue of $24.02 million for the second quarter ended June 29, an 18.3% increase on revenue of $20.30 million recorded in the comparable period of 2011.
Jobless Claims Tumble to Lowest Level in Four Years Wall Street Journal (07/12/12) Josh Mitchell; Eric Morath U.S. jobless claims fell by 26,000 last week to 350,000, but onetime factors such as fewer auto-sector layoffs than normal likely caused the sharp decline, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Still, the seasonally adjusted drop in claims in recent weeks offers hope that the labor market might be slowly improving. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast 370,000 new applications for jobless benefits last week. The level of claims is the lowest in four years. The four-week average of claims, meanwhile, decreased by a smaller 9,750 to 376,500.
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Reminder: This Is the Nonmember Version of Staffing Today
Because your firm is not an ASA member, you are now receiving the nonmember version of Staffing Today, which excludes the Legal Watch and Trends and Research sections. Join ASA today and start reaping the many benefits of membership, including the full version of Staffing Today, free ASA Pro professional development Webinars, and special member-only registration rates for Staffing World 2012, Oct. 9–11 in Las Vegas. ASA membership matters. Learn more and join today.
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ASAPro Webinar Tomorrow—Health Care Reform Implications
Is Time Spent Filling Your Prescription at Walgreens Covered by FMLA?
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Common OSHA Compliance Mistakes
New Labor Market Reality: Gigging Is the New Full-Time Job
‘Zombies’ Are Costing Your Business
Study Recommends Approaches for Finding the Right Fit
Recruiters, Start Your Engines—Auto Manufacturers Increase Hiring
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BLS Says Job Openings Little Changed in May U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (07/10/12) There were 3.6 million job openings on the last business day of May, little changed from 3.4 million in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on July 10. The 3.3% hires rate and 3.3% separations rate were essentially unchanged in May. Job openings increased for manufacturing and state and local government. The hires rate declined over the year in construction but rose in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, and in federal government.
June Small-Business Optimism Lowest Since October 2011 NFIB News Release (07/10/12) In a disappointing reversal of several months of slow but positive growth, the National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism dove three points in June, falling to 91.4. The decline is significant, and relinquished the gains achieved earlier this year. Only one of the 10 index components improved; labor market indicators and spending plans for capital equipment and inventories accounted for about 40% of the decline. Posting the first negative reading since December, the net change in employment per firm over the past few months (seasonally adjusted) was -0.11. Seasonally adjusted, 9% of the owners surveyed added an average of 2.6 workers per firm over the past few months, and 12% reduced employment by an average of 2.8 workers. Forty-four percent of the owners hired or tried to hire in the last three months and 33% reported few or no qualified applicants for positions. The percentage of owners reporting hard-to-fill job openings declined five points, falling to 15% of all owners.
ASA for You
ASAPro Webinar Tomorrow—Health Care Reform Implications
You can’t afford to miss tomorrow’s ASA Pro Webinar, “ Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms.” Edward A. Lenz of ASA; Alden Bianchi of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo PC; and ASA past chairman Jim Essey, CSP, of the TemPositions Group of Cos. will discuss the court’s ruling and explain the steps staffing firms should take to prepare for the law’s implementation. The Webinar takes place 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
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Today’s Free ASAPro Webinar—Find the Right Talent
Judge Keeps South Carolina Immigration Law on Hold After Arizona Ruling
‘Here’s Looking at You, Kid’—The EEOC Looks for Beauty Bias
Illinois Legislation Increasing Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans Signed Into Law
WV Court Determines Special Employment Status for Workers’ Compensation Immunity
Indiana Law Takes a Bite Out of Employers’ Ability to Obtain Criminal Background Info
Where Were the Jobs in June?
If Housing Is Recovering, Where Are the Construction Jobs?
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Employment Trends Index Declines Conference Board News Release (07/09/12) The Conference Board Employment Trends Index dipped to 107.47 in June, down from the revised figure of 108.23 in May. The June figure is 5.6% higher than a year ago. The drop was driven by negative contributions from four of the eight components. The declining indicators were percentage of firms with positions not able to fill right now; ratio of involuntarily part-time to all part-time workers; initial claims for unemployment insurance; and percentage of respondents who say they find “jobs hard to get.” “The Employment Trends Index has been flat since February, suggesting that slow employment growth is likely to continue through the summer,” says Gad Levanon, director of macroeconomic research at the Conference Board. “Since there is little hope of acceleration in the pace of economic activity any time soon, these weak labor market conditions are likely to persist for the coming months.”
Freelancer.com Acquires Scriptlance Sacramento Bee (07/09/12) Freelancer.com, the largest outsourcing and crowdsourcing marketplace in the world, has acquired Toronto-based Scriptlance, boosting its users to more than four million worldwide. Scriptlance is the fifth-biggest freelance marketplace in the world and the largest in Canada, with more than 360,000 enterprise and professional users.
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Today’s Free ASAPro Webinar—Find the Right Talent
ASA members can take advantage of free ASA Pro Webinars that qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. For example, today from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time, catch the ASA Pro Webinar “ Entering the Human Age—The Hardest Jobs to Fill and How to Find the Right Talent.” Hear which 10 jobs are hardest to fill and how you can find people who contribute to business success from day one and for the long term. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers and free for ASA members.
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More States to Cut Long-Term Jobless Benefits
Robert Half to Take $11.4M Charge for Settlement
Montana High Court Says Obesity May Be Impairment
One Federal Appellate Court Outlines Parameters for Racially Hostile Environment
Search and Placement Employment Increases in May
June Monster Employment Index Rises 5% Year-Over-Year
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Volt Information Sciences Provides Update on Business Performance MarketWatch (07/06/12) Volt Information Sciences Inc. has provided a business update and reported selected unaudited financial information for its fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2012 ended April 29. The staffing services segment, which accounts for a majority of the company’s total revenue, had approximately $501 million of revenue in the second quarter 2012 compared with approximately $479 million for the same period in 2011. For the first six months of 2012 the staffing services segment had approximately $963 million of revenue compared with approximately $929 million for the same period in 2011. On average, approximately 31,000 U.S. staffing employees were on assignment in the quarter compared to approximately 30,900 in the second quarter of 2011, and 31,200 for the first six months compared to 31,600 in the prior year six-month period.
Temporary Workers’ Numbers Climbing in Rocky Economy USA Today (07/07/12) Paul Davidson The number of temporary workers rose by 25,000 in the U.S. Department of Labor’s monthly employment report issued on July 6, making up nearly a third of the total 80,000 payroll gains in June. The hiring of temporary employees traditionally augurs the addition of permanent staff, but staffing firms and company executives note temporary employees are keeping that status longer, in part due to nervousness about the unsettled economy. Also, many businesses are using contractors and other temporary workers on an ongoing basis to better meet fluctuating demand and enlist workers with specialized skills for short-term projects. The addition of temporary and contract workers the past two years has not consistently led to stronger permanent job growth. The number of temporary workers placed by staffing firms is up 20% since June 2010, while total payrolls are up just 2.3%. ManpowerGroup CEO Jeff Joerres reports about 30% of the temporary employees the staffing firm has placed this year have been converted to permanent status, compared with 45% last year. “They’re loath to hire because they’ve been burned too many times” in a halting recovery, he says.
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Join ASA for Free ASAPro Webinars
ASA members enjoy many benefits, including free ASA Pro Webinars that qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. Don’t miss the July 12 Webinar on the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Join ASA today. For additional information, contact ASA at 703-253-2020 or asa@americanstaffing.net.
Join ASA Today and Save Up to 50%
ASA members can take advantage of free ASA Pro Webinars that qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. Next week, you could be attending any or all of these ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Monday, July 9, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time: Learn how the ASA political action committee helps your business during the ASA Pro Webinar “ Understanding StaffingPAC.” Tuesday, July 10, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time: Hear how you can find people who contribute to your business success in the ASA Pro Webinar “ Entering the Human Age—The Hardest Jobs to Fill and How to Find the Right Talent.” Thursday, July 12, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time: Find out what the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act means for the industry in the ASA Pro Webinar “ Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms.” ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers and free for ASA members.
BLS: Staffing Leads Job Growth in June
The staffing industry led employment growth in June by adding more than 25,000 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted employment data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a 1.0% increase over May and 10.7% more jobs than a year ago. Moreover, BLS substantially boosted its temporary help estimate for May, from an initial 8.5% to a revised 9.3% increase year-to-year. The staffing industry has added 776,000 jobs to the economy since September 2009.
Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, show that the staffing industry added nearly 40,000 jobs (up 1.6%) from May to June. On a year-to-year basis, there were 10.7% more staffing employees in June compared with the same month in 2011.
Overall U.S. nonfarm employment grew by 80,000 jobs in June, BLS says. During the first three months of 2012, the average rate of monthly job creation was 226,000; by contrast, the monthly average for April through June was 75,000. The overall unemployment rate remained unchanged from May to June at 8.2%.
“Businesses continue to be very cautious about hiring in the current uncertain economic environment,” says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. “The good news for job seekers is that staffing firms offer immediate employment as well as opportunities for permanent placement.”
Professional and business services (the broad industry category under which temporary help is classified) added 47,000 jobs during the month, manufacturing added 11,000 jobs, health care rose by 13,000 jobs, and the wholesale trade sector added 9,000 new employees to their payrolls. Employment in other major industries showed little or no change.
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ASAPro Webinar Next Week on Health Care Reform Implications
ASA Phone Service Back Online
Wage Mistakes Could Mean Personal Liability
Employee Overtime for Cell Phone Use—Employers May Incur Unintended Wage Obligations
OSHA Inspections Making an Impact
Directing Employees to Hand Out Leaflets a Violation, NLRB Rules
It’s a Man’s Man’s World—Not So Fast, Says DOJ
Slow Summer Job Growth Expected to Continue
Will Construction Begin to Lead Job Creation?
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Jobs Data Indicate Slow Growth Wall Street Journal (07/06/12) Jeffrey Sparshott The U.S. added 80,000 jobs in June, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, confirming that the labor market cooled off considerably in the second quarter. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a gain of 100,000 in payrolls. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.2%. Employment gains for May and April were basically unchanged. The number of new jobs created in May was revised up to 77,000 from an original estimate of 69,000, while April’s figure was revised down to 68,000 from 77,000.
CEO Confidence Declines Conference Board News Release (07/05/12) The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, which had improved in the first quarter of this year, decreased in the second quarter. The measure now reads 47, down from 63 last quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses). Chief executive officers’ assessment of current economic conditions has turned considerably negative. Only 17% claim conditions have improved compared with six months ago, down significantly from 67% last quarter. A more negative attitude was also expressed regarding their appraisal of their own industries. Now, just 22% of business leaders say conditions have improved, compared with 42% in the first quarter of this year. Regarding profit expectations over the next 12 months, 64% of CEOs expect increases. Among CEOs who expect profits to rise, 46% say market and demand growth will be the primary driving force, while 29% cite cost reductions, and an additional 15% say new technology will serve as the main source of improvement. The remaining 10% cite price increases as the primary driver.
Service Sector Increases at Slowest Pace in Two Years Associated Press (07/05/12) The service sector in June grew at the slowest pace in nearly two and a half years, more evidence that the economy has weakened. However, those same companies increased hiring last month. The Institute for Supply Management reported on July 5 that its index of nonmanufacturing activity fell to 52.1 last month, from a May reading of 53.7, the lowest reading since January 2010. The survey’s employment index rose to 52.3, up from 50.8 in May.
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ASAPro Webinar Next Week on Health Care Reform Implications
Next Thursday, July 12, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time, you won’t want to miss the ASA Pro Webinar “ Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms.” Attorneys Edward A. Lenz of ASA and Alden Bianchi of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo PC will discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act and explain the steps staffing firms should take to prepare for the law’s implementation. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
ASA Phone Service Back Online
Effective at about noon Eastern time today, the phones were back in service at ASA headquarters. The main number is 703-253-2020. Phone service had been down since last week’s severe storms that hit the metro Washington area.
ASA Headquarters Is Open, Phone Lines Down
Severe storms that hit metro Washington, DC, last week disrupted ASA phone service. Please use e-mail to contact ASA.
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Feds Cracking Down on Dallas Hotel Pay Practices
WV Supreme Court Finds Temporary Employer Immune From Common Lawsuits
AP Survey: Next President Faces High Unemployment
CareerBuilder Forecast Points to a Better Hiring Picture
HR Staffs, Recruiters Overlook Qualified Job Seekers
Why Hairdressers Are Secure: Their Jobs Can’t Be Exported
Express Hiring Survey: Greatest Growth for Commercial and Light Industrial Jobs
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EmployBridge Acquires Allines Staffing Professionals PRNewswire (07/03/12) EmployBridge has acquired the assets of Baltimore, MD-based Allines Staffing Professionals. EmployBridge operates primarily under the ResourceMFG, ProLogistix, and ProDrivers brands, providing skilled light industrial personnel to three specific industry verticals: specialty manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, and transportation.
Jobless Claims Post Biggest Fall Since April Reuters (07/05/12) The number of Americans who filed requests for jobless benefits declined by 14,000 last week to 374,000, the lowest level in six weeks, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 388,000 from an originally reported 386,000. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to 385,000 last week. The four-week moving average for new claims fell 1,500 to 385,750.
ADP Says U.S. Companies Added 176,000 Workers in June Bloomberg (07/05/12) Lorraine Woellert Companies in the U.S. added 176,000 workers in June, according to figures released today by ADP Employer Services. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a 100,000 advance. The unexpectedly high number may ease concern the labor market is deteriorating. The increase followed a revised 136,000 gain the prior month. Employment in the private, service-providing sector increased by 160,000 in June, after rising a revised 137,000 in May. Employment in the private, goods-producing sector added 16,000 jobs in June. Manufacturing employment added 4,000, reversing May’s decline.
Jobs Growth Seen Picking Up in June Reuters (07/03/12) Jason Lange According to a Reuters survey of economists, employers in June added a projected 90,000 new employees to their payrolls, but that increase in hiring is not sufficient to dispel concerns that the economy is decelerating. Hiring is potentially being affected by the European debt crisis, which is dampening exports and spooking the financial markets. Companies may also be reluctant to hire because of uncertainty over the U.S. government’s plans to reign in spending next year. Meanwhile, AllianceBernstein economists say data for the last six months provides little evidence that construction or other weather-sensitive industries were boosted by good weather.
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ASA members can take advantage of free ASA Pro Webinars that qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. Next week, you could be attending any or all of these ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Monday, July 9, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time: Learn how the ASA political action committee helps your business during the ASA Pro Webinar “ Understanding StaffingPAC.” Tuesday, July 10, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time: Hear how you can find people who contribute to your business success in the ASA Pro Webinar “ Entering the Human Age—The Hardest Jobs to Fill and How to Find the Right Talent.” Thursday, July 12, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time: Find out what the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act means for the industry in the ASA Pro Webinar “ Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms.” ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers and free for ASA members.
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Staffing Today Returns July 5
North Carolina Gov. Perdue Signs Workers’ Comp Scofflaw Bill
Wal-Mart Suspends Seafood Supplier Over Work Issues
NJ Court Rules on Workers’ Compensation Occupational Stress Claim
Never Knew About Unauthorized OT? You’re Not Liable Under FLSA
A Business Entity That Changes Its Corporate Structure Risks Expiration of Agreements
Small U.S. Firms Lower Hiring Expectations
Simply Hired Reports Job Openings Increase in Top 50 Major Metro Areas
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Manufacturing Shrinks, First Time in Nearly Three Years Reuters (07/02/12) Leah Schnurr Manufacturing declined in June for the first time in nearly three years as new orders plummeted, according to a report from the Institute for Supply Management. Businesses saw solid sales but said that they sensed a shift in overseas demand. That helped drive down new orders and could constrain economic growth over the next quarter. The organization’s index of national factory activity fell to 49.7 from 53.5 the month before, missing expectations of 52.0, according to a Reuters poll of economists, and below even the lowest forecast. “Clearly this is the biggest sign yet that the U.S. is catching the slowdown that is well under way in Europe and China,” says Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics in London. Dales adds that the report is consistent with an economy that is growing at an annualized rate of a little below 1% after 1.9% growth in the first quarter, dismissing talk that the number signals a new U.S. recession is coming. A reading below 47 would be consistent with another recession, Dales says.
Randstad U.S. Employment Report: U.S. Workers’ Concerns About Economy Grow Mid-Year MarketWatch (07/02/12) Randstad’s latest Employee Confidence Index was 51.1 in June, recording its third consecutive decline in overall confidence levels among U.S. workers. Macroeconomic concerns contributed to the continued retreat in overall optimism, as workers’ apprehensions about the strength of the economy and job availability increased. While the overall June Index dipped by 2.1 points, it still remains three points higher than this time last year. Employee confidence in the ability to find a new job is up four points over the January number. In both May and June, 41% of respondents expressed confidence in being able to find new employment. “These first six months of the year have certainly been different than what analysts and economists expected, with less job creation posted in the second quarter,” says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president and chief employment analyst for Randstad Holding. “While the economy has unquestionably added jobs at a very modest pace, it is certainly interesting to see that workers remain confident about the stability of their current jobs, employers, and ability to find employment.”
ASA for You
ASAPro Webinar Next Week on Health Care Reform Implications
Next Thursday, July 12, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time, you won’t want to miss the ASA Pro Webinar “ Supreme Court Health Care Ruling—Next Steps for Staffing Firms.” Attorneys Edward A. Lenz of ASA and Alden Bianchi of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo PC will discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act and explain the steps staffing firms should take to prepare for the law’s implementation. ASA Pro Webinars are $295 for nonmembers. Join ASA and attend ASA Pro Webinars for FREE. Register online at americanstaffing.net.
Staffing Today Returns July 5
In observance of Independence Day, Staffing Today will be suspended Wednesday, July 4.
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BP, EEOC Reach $5.4 Million Deal Over Gender Bias Claims
Did Termination After Maternity Leave Violate Minnesota Law?
South Carolina Businesses Face Sanctions Under Immigration Law
Financial Giants Are Moving Jobs Off Wall Street
Higher Education Seeing More Temporary Workers
Three Cities to Recruit Truck Drivers
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Hiring Probably Cooled in Second Quarter; U.S. Economy Preview Bloomberg (07/01/12) Alex Kowalski Economists say the jobs tally in June probably crowned the weakest quarter for employment in more than two years, evidence the U.S. recovery has lost momentum. Employers increased payrolls by 90,000 workers last month after a 69,000 gain in May, according to the median forecast of 59 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News ahead of U.S. Department of Labor figures due July 6. “We really need to see job creation pick up, which is the only thing that’s going to get households spending on a sustained basis,” says Paul Dales, a senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London. “The economy isn’t going to get exceptionally weak from here, but neither is it going to get much stronger.”
Chicago PMI Inches Higher in June MarketWatch (06/29/12) Steve Goldstein The Chicago purchasing managers index increased to 52.9% in June from May levels of 52.7%, reports ISM-Chicago. Economists polled by MarketWatch anticipated a reading of 53.0%. There was a sizable rebound of production, a slight deterioration in new orders, and a further decline in order backlogs as well as an improvement in employment and slower supplier deliveries. Any reading above 50% indicates expansion.
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ASA members enjoy many benefits, including free ASA Pro Webinars that qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. Don’t miss the July 12 Webinar on the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Join ASA today. For additional information, contact ASA at 703-253-2020 or asa@americanstaffing.net.
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About ASA
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing industry. ASA and its affiliated chapters advance the interests of staffing and recruiting firms of all sizes and across all sectors through legal and legislative advocacy, public relations, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. ASA members provide the full range of employment and work force services and solutions, including temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and permanent placement, outplacement and outsourcing, training, and human resource consulting.
American Staffing Association
277 South Washington St., Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-3675
703-253-2020
Fax 703-253-2053
asa@americanstaffing.net
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