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Use of Supplemental Nurses Can Help Hospitals’ Short-Term Staffing Needs

The modest use of supplemental (temporary or contract) nurses is a cost-efficient strategy during temporary periods of patient census swings or short-term shortages of permanent nurses at large U.S. medical centers, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. The study also found that the hourly personnel costs for supplemental nurses efficiently offset the overtime costs of permanent nurses.

“Prior research has shown that temporary and contract nurses are just as qualified—through education and experience—as permanent nurses,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “This study shows that supplemental nurses offer the strategic flexibility that hospitals need to augment their workforces during peak times, and to address any interim labor shortages related to leave coverage, vacancies, and expansion of services.”

Adecco Delivers Record Q4 Profitability With a 5.3% EBITA Margin

Adecco Group News Release (03/11/15)

The Adecco Group reported revenues of €5.2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2014, up 2% in constant currency, and €20 billion for all of fiscal 2014, up 4% in constant currency over 2013. Net income totaled €185 million for the fourth quarter, up 6% year-over-year, and €638 million for the year, up 14% over 2013.

North American revenue totaled €1.1 billion in the fourth quarter, an increase of 6% over 2013. In general staffing, which accounts for approximately half of revenues, industrial was up by 13% and office increased by 5%. In professional staffing, revenues grew by 2%, with growth of 1% in IT, 9% in finance & legal, and 15% in medical & science, while revenues in engineering & technical were down 3%. Permanent placement revenues increased by 12%. For the full year, North American revenues increased by 4%.

Commenting on global markets, Patrick De Maeseneire, chief executive officer of Adecco Group, said “Market conditions in 2014 were rather mixed, but our colleagues showed again that they can adapt well to changing conditions, and delivered another strong performance. With 5.3%, we delivered our best-ever fourth quarter margin. And since GDP growth is forecasted to accelerate in 2015, we expect a further positive development of demand for flexible labor going forward.”

PageGroup: Full Year Results for the Year Ended Dec. 31, 2014

Page Group News Release (03/11/15)

Michael Page International PLC reported revenue of £1.05 billion for 2014, up 4.4% (9.9% in constant currency) from £1 billion in 2013. Gross profit totaled £532.8 million for the year, up 3.7% (10% in constant currency) from £513.9 million in 2013. Revenue for the Americas totaled £76.9 million, up 0.8% (13.2% in constant currency) from £76.2 million the prior year.

By segment, revenue totaled £465.3 million for finance and accounting, up 0.11% from £464.8 million in 2013; £240.1 million for legal, technology, human resource, secretarial and other, up 4.2% from £230.5 million; £193.9 million for engineering, property & construction, procurement & supply chain, up 7% from £181.3 million; and £147.6 million for marketing, sales and retail, up 14.5% from £128.9 million. Permanent placement revenue for 2014 was £416.3 million, up 3.3% from £403.1 million in 2013, and temporary placement revenue was £630.6 million, up 4.7% from £602.5 million.

Job Openings at 14-Year High, but Hiring Slows

MarketWatch (03/10/15) Jeffry Bartash

The number of open jobs in the U.S. registered a 14-year high in January, reports the U.S. Department of Labor, but companies filled positions at the slowest pace since the end of last summer. Job openings increased 2.5% in the first month of 2015 to a seasonally adjusted 5 million to mark the highest level since 2001. Available jobs were 28% higher compared with one year ago. While hiring rose an even faster 3.5% to 5.24 million, that is the slowest rate since last August. Poor winter weather may be one cause, but companies also complain that it has become increasingly harder to find workers with the precise skills they need.

The latest employment survey from the National Federation of Independent Business, for example, says the number of job openings that went unfilled rose to an eight-year high. At the end of January there were 1.8 unemployed workers per job opening, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover report, up from 1.78 in December. With the labor market recovering, Americans are somewhat more willing to quit their current jobs to take another position elsewhere. The quits rate edged up to 2% in January to match a postrecession high.

Free ASA Webinar Tomorrow—Choosing the Right Staffing Software

Don’t miss tomorrow’s ASA webinar “Determining Your Needs When Choosing a Software Solution for Your Firm,” 3–4 p.m. Eastern time. Find out which questions you should consider before acquiring or changing staffing software for your firm.

All ASA 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.

ASA Staffing Index Offers Weekly Updates on Employment Trends

Looking for real-time data on staffing employment? The ASA Staffing Index reports weekly changes in the number of people employed in temporary and contract work. The data will help your firm evaluate its performance against a national metric on both a weekly and long-term basis.

All U.S. staffing firms are invited to participate in the ASA Staffing Index survey. Every Tuesday, participants receive an email with the results of the weekly survey, including sales group figures. These data, which are not available anywhere else, allow staffing firms to compare how their business is doing on a weekly basis relative to similarly sized firms in the industry. There are no fees for participating in the survey.

Make sure your company has the latest, most strategic data—sign up to participate in the ASA Staffing Index survey. For more information, visit americanstaffing.net.