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ASA: Staffing Employment Grew 4% in 2013

Staffing companies in the U.S. employed an average of 3.0 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2013, up 4.0% from 2012, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. Over the course of 2013, staffing firms hired a total of 11.0 million temporary and contract employees.

“Staffing and recruiting companies are employment experts, matching millions of people and their skills and lifestyle needs with millions of jobs every day,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “Staffing firms provide temporary, contract, and permanent employment opportunities—at no cost for job seekers—in virtually all occupations across all sectors of the economy.”

In the fourth quarter of 2013, staffing industry payrolls averaged 3.2 million employees per week, up 3.8% from the third quarter and an increase of 6.1% over the fourth quarter of 2012.

Temporary and contract staffing sales for the year totaled $109.2 billion in 2013, up 4.3% over all of 2012. Fourth quarter sales grew to $28.3 billion, 5.6% more than in the same quarter last year.

Cross Country Healthcare Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2013 Financial Results

Cross Country Healthcare Inc. News Release (03/05/14)

Cross Country Healthcare Inc. reported consolidated revenue of $109.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, down 2.0% from $111.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, and $438.3 million for all of 2013, down 1.0% from $442.6 million in 2012. The company reported a net loss of $35.2 million for the fourth quarter, compared with a net loss of $9.5 million in the year-ago quarter, and a net loss of $34.6 million for 2013, compared with a net loss of $42.2 million in 2012.

For the fourth quarter, revenue rose 0.4% from $70.9 million to $71.2 million for its nurse and allied staffing business segment but fell 5.9% from $30.7 million to $28.9 million for its physician staffing segment. For the full year, revenue increased 0.4% from $277.8 million to $279 million for its nurse and allied staffing segment but decreased 1.7% from $123.5 million to $121.4 million for its physician staffing segment.

Jobless Claims in U.S. Fall to Lowest Level in Three Months

Bloomberg (03/06/14) Jeanna Smialek

U.S. jobless claims fell 26,000 last week to 323,000 from 349,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast 336,000 claims. The four-week moving average of claims fell to 336,500 from 338,500 the prior week.

ASA: Fed Reports Continuing Economic Expansion Around the U.S.

American Staffing Association (03/06/14)

The Federal Reserve Board’s latest report on regional economies (known as the “beige book”) indicates that economic conditions around the U.S. continued to expand in the first few weeks of 2014. The majority of districts reported improved levels of activity, and the outlook in most regions remained optimistic. Employment levels improved gradually, and many districts continued to note shortages for particular types of specialized, skilled labor.

Companies Shrink Workforces in February, ISM Says

MarketWatch (03/05/14) Jeffry Bartash

The Institute for Supply Management’s nonmanufacturing index dropped to 51.6% in February from 54% in January. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. Economists had forecast 53%. The decline is largely attributed to an 8.9 point drop in the employment gauge, from 56.4% in January to 47.5% in February. Inclement weather contributed to a slowdown in hiring.

Free ASAPro Webinar Today—Protect Your Firm’s Data Security

Don’t miss the ASAPro webinar “Legal Implications of Data Security Breaches—What Staffing Firms Should Know.” It takes place today from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Find out what your firm should be doing to protect information, comply with the law, and prepare for a suspected or actual security breach in your company.

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

Register for the ASA Staffing Law Conference—Limited Seating Remains

The ASA Staffing Law Conference, May 21–22 in Washington, DC, is the only program dedicated to the legal issues affecting the staffing and recruiting business. Last year’s conference attracted a sold-out crowd, and limited seating remains for this year’s event.

Sessions include “ACA Countdown: Are You Ready for the Employer Mandate?” a panel discussion that will review the latest government regulations and staffing-specific issues relating to the Affordable Care Act; “OSHA’s Temporary Worker Safety Initiative: What Staffing Firms Need to Know,” an update from David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health at the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and “2014 Midterm Elections: How the Outcomes Could Affect Business,” an election preview by political analyst and pundit Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report.

Check out the full agenda and register online at americanstaffing.net.