Staffing employment edged up in the week of Aug. 7–13, with the ASA Staffing Index increasing by 0.1% to hold at a rounded value of 102. Staffing companies listed no one primary factor as a barrier preventing further growth. Staffing jobs were 4.4% below the same week last year.
New starts in the 32nd week of the year inched down 0.8% from the prior week. More than four in 10 staffing companies (44%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the prior week to a rounded value of 102, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Aug. 13 was 4.7% lower than the same period in 2022.
“Staffing employment has returned to the same levels we saw earlier this year even as it remains lower than last year’s historic numbers,” said Max Aldrich, ASA research coordinator.
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. 1.