ASA has joined the Women Business Collaborative Staffing Leadership Council as a founding member to accelerate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the staffing and recruiting industry. The council is concentrating on three key objectives to address issues of gender parity and equity: gathering data, establishing benchmarks, and building metrics for progress; building broad industry awareness and leveraging work through the pillars of the WBC; and identifying opportunities to make a difference and track results across the staffing industry.

As part of its efforts to address issues of gender parity and equity, WBC is conducting an industry-wide survey to collect data on social identities of women in staffing; the results will be used to help improve the representation of women in leadership roles in staffing. The Benchmarking Gender Equity in the Staffing Industry survey closes next Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Staffing jobs for the week of Aug. 10–16 edged up 0.7% from the prior week, holding at a value of 75, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Week-to-week staffing employment growth has been steady over the past three months, with the exception of the anticipated Independence Day holiday dip. Staffing jobs were down 21.1% from the same week in 2019—the narrowest year-to-year gap since March.

New temporary and contract staffing starts were up 2.4% on average, with 46% of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“Staffing starts give us another perspective on what’s happening with temporary jobs,” said Cynthia Davidson, senior director of research for ASA. “In weeks where staffing employment is down or the pace of growth slowed, but more staffing agencies are reporting placing a greater number of temporary employees in new assignments, there’s a glimmer of hope that the tide may be turning and an upward trend in employment could be on the horizon.”

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. 4.

What is National Staffing Employee Week? Why is it important to honor the millions of temporary and contract employees on assignment in the U.S. every day? During this week—Sept. 14–20 this year—staffing agencies from across the nation host special events honoring their greatest asset: their temporary and contract employees.

Learn more about this week dedicated to staffing stars at americanstaffing.net. ASA members can use free promotional tools for their company celebrations, including commemorative logos, media outreach resources, social media content ideas, and more. Download the materials and share your celebrations on social media—be sure to use the hashtags #StaffingStars and #NationalStaffingEmployeeWeek.

Staffing World^® 2020, Oct. 19–22, will be an immersive virtual experience designed to connect you with staffing peers and provide resources you can use to grow your business.

Choose among more than 30 educational sessions on important topics like the future of work, the post-Covid-19 workplace, legal issues, inclusivity, talent acquisition, and much more.

Registration rates for ASA members are as low $100 per person. Reserve your spot today at staffingworld.net.

Are you figuring out how to juggle child care responsibilities and your career? Looking for ways to balance your home life with your work? Get insight from colleagues in the ASA Women in Leadership interest group during a peer networking call Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. The session will give you an opportunity to discuss top-of-mind challenges and devise solutions.

Participants should be prepared to share ideas and build new relationships with industry peers. Learn more and register at americanstaffing.net. Thanks to Women in Leadership sponsors Anthem, Assurance, Bullhorn, ClearEdge Marketing, Mee Derby, and WorkN.

National Staffing Employee Week is just one month away—it takes place Sept. 14–20 this year. This annual event recognizes the contributions of the millions of people working for U.S. staffing companies.

Get ready to celebrate your temporary and contract employees with free promotional tools, including commemorative logos, media outreach resources, social media content ideas, and more. And watch for the announcement of the 2020 National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars in this newsletter on Sept. 14.

Don’t miss your chance to get the staffing and recruiting data you need. The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the second quarter of 2020 closes this Friday, Aug. 14.

Staffing companies that complete the brief survey—including search and placement firms—will have access to an exclusive online report archive, which includes benchmarks for the number of direct hire searches and permanent placements, sector-specific gross margin trends, payroll and productivity metrics by company size, and new projections.

Register to take the survey at americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey. There are no fees to participate.

Staffing World 2020, the ASA annual convention and expo, will be an immersive virtual experience where you can connect with staffing peers and get resources you can use to grow your business. It takes place Oct. 19–22, and registration is now open.

Staffing World will utilize virtual reality technology to help you connect and collaborate—much like you would in person. Gain the tools and strategies you need to do what you do best—put people to work in roles that enhance businesses and livelihoods. Learn more and register at staffingworld.net.

Mark your calendar for Staffing World^® 2020, Oct. 19–22. The ASA annual convention and expo will be an immersive virtual experience where you can connect with staffing peers and get resources you can use to grow your business.

This year’s event will utilize virtual reality technology so you can connect and collaborate with your peers; learn from three powerful keynote presenters, as well as other speakers; and interact with industry suppliers.

At Staffing World you’ll gain the tools and strategies you need to do what you do best—put people to work in roles that enhance businesses and livelihoods. Learn more and register at staffingworld.net.