Staffing employment for the week of Oct. 12–18 expanded 2.0% from the prior week, increasing to a rounded value of 85, according to the ASA Staffing Index. This week marks the largest week-to-week increase for the comparative week since the inception of the index in 2006. Staffing jobs were down 12.5% from the same week last year, further narrowing the year-to-year gap after six months of nearly uninterrupted growth following a historical low in April.

New starts were up for the fifth consecutive week, increasing 5.8% on average, with half (48%) of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“The number of temporary jobs in the U.S. continues to rise, solidifying an upward trend toward recovery,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research. “The coming weeks will be very influential in shaping the next phase of regaining stability for staffing employment.”

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the October monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Nov. 6.