Staffing employment inched down during the week of Feb. 10–16, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing 0.4% but holding at a rounded value of 83. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 7.8% lower relative to the same period last year, narrowing the gap by half a point from 8.3% the previous week.

New starts decreased in the seventh week of the year, down 10.7% from the prior week. Only one in four staffing companies (26%) reported gains in new assignments week to week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average edged up from the previous week to a rounded value of 82. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Feb. 16 was 8.6% below the same period in 2024.

“Delays in long-term tailwinds—including rate cuts and labor costs—compounded by short-term challenges such as inclement weather, have led to a slow start to 2025 for staffing employment and the broader labor market. Relief may be on the horizon for staffing employment, as businesses are confident that economic conditions will improve throughout the year, but the staffing industry will have to wait a little longer for the economy to develop an appetite for additional headcount,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA.

This week will be used in the February monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics March 7.