Following two weeks of holiday-related declines, staffing employment for June 7–13 rebounded (+2.0%) from the prior week, according to the ASA Staffing Index. This week marks a 2021 high for the index, which reached a rounded value of 97. Staffing jobs were up 44.2% from the same week last year but remain on par with the average levels seen for the comparative weeks in 2018 and 2019.

New starts jumped 7.0% on average, with over half (58%) of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average ticked up to a rounded value of 96. Temporary and contract staffing employment from mid-May through mid-June grew 48%, compared with the same time frame in 2020, but remains consistent with the same reporting period in 2018 and 2019.

“Despite the typical holiday dip, staffing employment growth is showing signs of acceleration—supporting anecdotal reports of increased demand for staffing services,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the June monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics July 2.