Staffing jobs for the week of Aug. 10–16 edged up 0.7% from the prior week, holding at a value of 75, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Week-to-week staffing employment growth has been steady over the past three months, with the exception of the anticipated Independence Day holiday dip. Staffing jobs were down 21.1% from the same week in 2019—the narrowest year-to-year gap since March.

New temporary and contract staffing starts were up 2.4% on average, with 46% of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“Staffing starts give us another perspective on what’s happening with temporary jobs,” said Cynthia Davidson, senior director of research for ASA. “In weeks where staffing employment is down or the pace of growth slowed, but more staffing agencies are reporting placing a greater number of temporary employees in new assignments, there’s a glimmer of hope that the tide may be turning and an upward trend in employment could be on the horizon.”

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the August monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Sept. 4.