May 8, 2015

Staffing Firms Add 16,000 Jobs in April

Published May 08, 2015 ■ Announcement

Staffing firms created 16,100 new jobs in April, up 0.6% from March and 5.5% from April 2014, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Year-to-year staffing job growth averaged 5.8% over the past 12 months.

Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, indicated that temporary help employment increased 2.1% from March to April. Year-to-year, there were 6.0% more staffing employees in April than in the same month last year.

“Heading into the beginning of the second quarter, staffing and recruiting firms are reporting increases in orders to fill temporary and permanent positions across much of the economy,” said Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. “Labor markets continue to tighten in several sectors, most notably in health care, where demand is outpacing the supply of available nurses, therapists, physicians, and physician assistants.”

Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 223,000 jobs in April (seasonally adjusted), BLS reported. Incorporating revisions for February and March, the data showed that monthly job gains averaged 191,000 over the past three months, significantly less than the average of 257,000 for the prior 12 months.

The unemployment rate ticked down slightly to 5.4% in April—down 0.1 percentage points from March and down 0.8 percentage points from a year ago.

Ortoli | Rosenstadt: What Exactly Is a Seller Responsible for When Selling Its Staffing Firm?

Buyers of a business generally expect sellers to be responsible for certain liabilities relating to when the seller owned its business—a concept mergers and acquisitions professionals refer to as indemnification. Indemnification is one of the most heavily negotiated, and potentially most significant, provisions of a purchase agreement, and understanding the terminology common to such agreements is essential when negotiating a deal. Attorney Paul Pincus of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP explains what sellers are liable for, how a seller’s liability may be limited, and how buyers may seek to fund potential indemnity claims.

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Job Cuts Surge to Three-Year High

Published May 08, 2015 ■ Headline News

Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. News Release (05/07/15)

Falling oil prices contributed to a 68% surge in job cuts in April, as employers announced workforce reductions totaling 61,582 for the month, up from 36,594 in March, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Year to date, employers have announced 201,796 job cuts, a 25% increase from the 161,639 layoffs tracked in the first four months of 2014.

Driving the increased pace of job cutting in April and for the year is the dramatic decline in oil prices, which is forcing producers and suppliers to cut production. Of the 61,582 job cuts announced last month, 34% were directly attributed to oil prices. Of the 201,796 job cuts announced this year, 34% were attributed to oil prices.

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Nationwide Job Openings Increased 2.89% in April

Published May 08, 2015 ■ Headline News

Business Wire (05/06/2015)

U.S. job listings rose 2.89% month-to-month in April, up from month-to-month increases of 1.38% in March and 2.47% in February, according to Simply Hired’s April 2015 U.S. Employment Outlook. Twenty-four of the Top 25 major metro areas saw an increase in job listings, and there were nearly 20% more full-time permanent entry-level positions available than the same time last year. About 5% of all job listings were targeted at new college graduates, with the most openings for nonretail sales representatives, marketing specialists, and customer service representatives. Pittsburgh and the Seattle and Tacoma, WA, area experienced the largest month-to-month gains at 5.27% and 4.94%, respectively.

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Welcome New ASA Members

Published May 08, 2015 ■ ASA for You

The ASA board of directors and staff welcome the following new members, which joined during the week ending May 3.

HighView Healthcare Partners LLC

Buffalo, NY

HMG Plus

New York, NY

Lawrence Harvey Inc.

New Castle, DE

MasterStaff Inc.

Smyrna, TN

TempWork Staffing Solution Inc.

Flushing, NY

Is your firm interested in joining ASA? Contact the membership department at 703-253-2020 or membership@americanstaffing.net.

ASA Webinar This Month—Improve Your Employer Brand

Published May 08, 2015 ■ ASA for You

Candidates say they’ll apply for jobs with companies that are widely regarded as great places to work. How can you ensure that your firm, and its clients, have the kind of reputation that will attract top talent? Find out how to differentiate your company through employer branding during the ASA webinar “Attract Candidates With a First-Rate Employer Brand.” It takes place Tuesday, May 19, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time.

ASA webinars are $295 for nonmembers and qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. Join ASA and enjoy ASA webinars for FREE.