Staffing employment for the week of Feb. 8–14 was up 0.8% from the prior week, according to the ASA Staffing Index. There were 3.2% more staffing jobs compared with the same week of 2020—the first week-six advance in three years. Temporary-to-hire conversions, inclement weather, and the persistence of Covid-19 were mentioned as factors limiting even further growth. Just over half (52%) of staffing firms reported increased temporary and contract employment.

New starts were up 1.4% on average, with nine in 10 (93%) of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average held at a value of 89. Temporary and contract staffing employment mid-January through mid-February expanded 2% year-to-year.

“An upward trend is emerging for staffing employment, which bodes well for nearer-term staffing job recovery even amid the pandemic,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the February monthly employment situation report, which is scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics March 5.