Staffing employment inched down during the week of Nov. 11–17, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 0.2% to a rounded value of 89. Staffing jobs were down 11.4% compared with the same week last year, widening the gap by nearly a percentage point from 10.5% the previous week. Staffing companies listed no one primary factor that prevented further growth.
New starts fell in the 46th week of the year, decreasing 11.6% from the prior week. Close to half of all staffing companies (45%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, equal to this year’s per-week average.
“A meager dip below baseline levels suggests more sideways momentum in staffing employment. The lack of growth or further erosion in staffing employment for much of 2024 affirms that employers recognize the unique value provided by temporary workers and the staffing industry but must wait to take advantage of it due to increased economic turbulence,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “With the holiday season fast approaching and the seasonal fluctuations that accompany it, the ASA Staffing Index may not rebound back to baseline until next year.”
This week will be used in the November monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dec. 6.
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