American Staffing Association (01/04/12) Malara, Toby

In 2011, the Obama administration and Congress worked to score political points before a crucial election year. Some key policy decisions from Congress and the White house in 2011 that could have an effect on staffing firms relate to the areas of unemployment insurance reform, union rules, employers’ use of criminal background checks, immigration and customs enforcement, worker misclassification, and employer tax credits.

Faced with an angry electorate and uncertain political futures, the Obama administration and Congress worked to score political points before a crucial election year—in 2012, control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and the presidency will all be up for grabs.

These are some key policy decisions from Congress and the White house in 2011 that could have an effect on staffing firms. UI Reform: Congress and the Administration—Congress’s attempt at unemployment insurance reform stalled, but with defeat came a victory for employers.