Staffing jobs for the week of April 6–12 contracted 4.9% from the prior week, decreasing to a rounded value of 62, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Not surprisingly, survey respondents continue to mention the Covid-19 pandemic as the predominant factor for the decline. Year-to-year, staffing employment was down 34.2% and the lowest level seen for any week since the inception of the index in 2006.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average fell to a rounded value of 70. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the period ending April 12 was 25.3% lower than the same period in 2019.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the April monthly employment situation report that will be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 8.

Staffing firms have questions about the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and ASA is providing answers.

Learn about the various avenues of financial relief available to staffing firms in connection with Covid-19 during the ASA webinar “The CARES Act—Overview and Ramifications for Staffing Firms.” It takes place today from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Eastern time. This webinar is sponsored by Essential StaffCARE.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

Staffing firms have questions about the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and ASA is providing answers. Learn about the various avenues of financial relief available to staffing firms in connection with Covid-19 during the ASA webinar “The CARES Act—Overview and Ramifications for Staffing Firms.” It takes place Wednesday, April 1, 1:30–3 p.m. Eastern time. This webinar is sponsored by Essential StaffCARE.

Learn how provisions of the CARES Act establish a financial assistance program for small and midsize staffing firms, create a paycheck protection program, permit payroll tax deferral, and more.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

ASA and the Retail Industry Leaders Association are joining forces to offer an innovative solution to address the immediate, acute need to fill openings for retail workers at essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies that provide critical services during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASA now provides an online, searchable directory, at americanstaffing.net/RILA, to connect RILA member retailers to ASA member staffing agencies that can fill high-demand roles like warehouse workers; store clerks for unloading, stocking, cleaning, and sanitizing; cashiers and greeters; forklift selectors and pickers; and delivery drivers.

“The U.S. staffing and recruiting industry is ready to source and deploy talent wherever and whenever it is needed most during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “ASA is proud to work together with RILA as part of the staffing industry’s commitment to ensuring that America has access to a skilled flexible workforce to support the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and services during this unprecedented time of challenge to our nation and our world.”

Staffing employment for the week of March 9–15 eased 0.6% from the prior week, edging down to a value of 85, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Survey respondents cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the main factor contributing to the contraction. Temporary and contract staffing jobs were down 8.1% from the same week last year and below the historical average of 88 for the comparative week.

The ASA Staffing Index average for the four weeks ending March 15 held at a rounded value of 86, although temporary and contract staffing jobs were down 7.2% from the same period in 2019.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the March monthly employment situation report scheduled that will be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics April 3.