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Changes Loom for Employers

Wall Street Journal (06/26/13) Lauren Weber; Anita Hofschneider

Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act currently applies only to the workers in the 12 states and the District of Columbia that recognize gay marriage; companies in those states must make sure their employee benefit packages do not discriminate against gay spouses. Gay spouses automatically will be considered beneficiaries of 401(k) retirement plans and pensions.

Married gay couples will now receive equal tax treatment of health-insurance premiums. Currently, two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partners health benefits; the ruling will make their benefit plans simpler and reduce paperwork, but will mean companies must alter tax calculations for same-sex partners.

Jobless Claims in U.S. Declined 9,000 Last Week to 346,000

Bloomberg (06/27/13) Lorraine Woellert

Unemployment claims declined by 9,000 to 346,000 last week from an upwardly revised 355,000 the week prior, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A survey of economists by Bloomberg forecast 345,000 claims. The less-volatile four-week moving average fell to 345,750 last week from 348,500. The data suggest companies are slowing the pace of firings as the economy improves, and larger sales gains may encourage employers to boost hiring.

Why Temporary Staffing Firms Are Learning to Love the Affordable Care Act

Time (06/27/13) Christopher Matthews

Staffing firms could benefit from the federal health care law, with companies such as Robert Half International and On Assignment recording significant gains in stock prices since president Obama’s re-election. Tobey Sommer, an analyst at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, says staffing firms can help small- and medium-sized businesses use temporary workers to stay below the 50-worker threshold and avoid having to offer health insurance to full-time employees or pay a penalty, and they also can position themselves as experts in the law’s labor regulations.

However, Steve Berchem, chief operating officer of the American Staffing Association, says, “It’s a myth that temporary employees are part-time employees.”

Free ASAPro Webinar Today—Get Insights Into Allied Health Care Staffing

Don’t miss today’s ASAPro webinar, “Insights and Trends in Allied Health Care Staffing,” from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Learn how your firm can take advantage of new opportunities to fill allied health care positions. This webinar is brought to you by the ASA health care section.

ASAPro webinars are free for ASA members and qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

Is it time to renew your ASA credential? The deadline is July 1, 2013 for individuals who earned or renewed their Certified Staffing Professional® or Technical Services CertifiedSM credential between Jan. 1, 2010, and June 30, 2010. To be eligible to renew your CSP® or TSCSM credential, you must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every three years. At least six of the 30 CE hours must pertain to employment law. Renew your credential online today to stay current and keep your competitive advantage.

Join ASA Today and Save

Among the top benefits of joining ASA right now is instant access to the most credible, industry-specific information available regarding the Affordable Care Act and what staffing firms need to be doing right now to prepare. Plus, ASA members receive a discounted rate when registering for Staffing World® 2013, Oct. 8-10 in Orlando, where ASA will deliver even more ACA-related information especially for staffing firms.

Join ASA today and start reaping the benefits. Contact the ASA membership team at 703-253-2020 or asa@americanstaffing.net.