Staffing employment continued its first-quarter growth trend in the week of Feb. 7–13. The ASA Staffing Index rose 0.8% from the previous week, setting a new February record with a rounded value of 105. The measure continues at a level well ahead of 2021—there were 17.3% more staffing jobs compared with the same week in 2021. Several staffing firms mentioned Covid-19 as a factor limiting further growth.

New starts expanded in the sixth week of the year, with an increase of 3.8% over the prior week. More than four in 10 staffing companies reported gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“With six consecutive weeks of growth and record-high readings for this time of year, staffing employment is continuing its strong start to 2022,” said Tim Hulley, ASA assistant director of research.

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