Staffing jobs for the week of April 6–12 contracted 4.9% from the prior week, decreasing to a rounded value of 62, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Not surprisingly, survey respondents continue to mention the Covid-19 pandemic as the predominant factor for the decline. Year-to-year, staffing employment was down 34.2% and the lowest level seen for any week since the inception of the index in 2006.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average fell to a rounded value of 70. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the period ending April 12 was 25.3% lower than the same period in 2019.
This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the April monthly employment situation report that will be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 8.