Springfield News-Sun (Ohio) (04/06/13) Everdeen Mason

The ASA staffing index came in at 91 in March, up 1.7% from February and 2.4% from March 2012. “Historically, temporary work has grown most rapidly in the first stages of recovery. This recovery seems to be different. The growth in staffing employment has outpaced previous recoveries and lasted longer,” says ASA chief operating officer Steven Berchem. “Until we see greater or stronger economic growth, businesses will continue to be reluctant to hire.”

Kristina Downing, owner of an Express Employment franchise in Ohio, has seen a slowdown in staffing extend from the fourth quarter into the first quarter, which she attributes to concerns about global and domestic economic issues, the loss of manufacturing contracts, and concerns about the Affordable Care Act. However, Jay Miller, general manager of the Upper Valley Pike office of Staffmark, says temporary hiring has picked up, and more employers are testing out workers before hiring them on a permanent basis.