After the seasonal end-of-year dip in December, staffing employment rose in the week of Jan. 8–14, with the ASA Staffing Index increasing by 4.0% to a rounded value of 88. Some staffing companies mentioned a holiday and inclement weather as primary factors that limited further growth. Despite two straight weeks of growth, staffing jobs were 12.5% below the same week last year.

New starts in the second week of the year were up 19.2% from the prior week. Almost half of all staffing companies (48%) reported gains in new assignments week to week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average decreased from the prior week to a rounded value of 86, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Jan. 14 was 9.6% lower than the same period in 2023.

“Staffing employment is rising in line with seasonal patterns of expansion, but its momentum is lagging behind prior years due to accelerated economic headwinds within the broader labor market,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA.

This week will be used in the January monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Feb. 2.

The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the fourth quarter of 2023 is now open. Staffing companies that complete the brief survey by Feb. 23 receive an exclusive report on the results, which includes gross margin and sector-level data.

Register to take the survey, or view the questionnaire, at americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey. If you have questions or did not receive a survey link, email research@americanstaffing.net. There are no fees to participate.

ASA is looking for subject matter experts in the staffing industry to share their experience and expertise with the ASA community in 2024. Submit a proposal for Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, which this year takes place Oct. 22–24 in Nashville, TN. Proposals for Staffing World breakout sessions—interactive presentations between 60 and 75 minutes long—are due Jan. 31.

ASA also is accepting proposals for ASA Webinars—virtual programs, typically 60 minutes long (due Jan. 31)—and for Staffing World Knowledge Hub Tech Talks and Speed Talks—10-minute talks on technology topics or broader industry topics (due May 31). For more information and to start your submission, visit americanstaffing.net.

The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the fourth quarter of 2023 is now open. Staffing companies that complete the brief survey by Feb. 23—including search and placement firms—will have access to an exclusive report on the results, enhanced with graphs. The report, which participants can download from the ASA website, also includes an executive summary, plus sales category and sector-level data.

Register to take the survey, or view the questionnaire, at americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey. If you have questions or did not receive a survey link, email research@americanstaffing.net. There are no fees to participate.

Are you ready to safeguard your company’s future and be prepared to weather any forecast? The ASA Growth Tool Kit was developed especially for staffing companies—it’s designed to empower them with the data, analysis, and business intelligence they need to weather any economic challenge and to take advantage of opportunities that can accelerate growth.

The ASA Growth Tool Kit is a comprehensive repository of resources such as economic, business, and industry news; educational resources; articles, market analysis, and economic research. Access the ASA Growth Tool Kit at americanstaffing.net.

Do you have insights that are essential to the staffing, recruiting, or workforce solutions industry that you’d like to share with the ASA community in 2024? Submit your idea today for your chance to speak at Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, or to present an ASA webinar in 2024.

Staffing World 2024 takes place Oct. 22–24 in Nashville, TN. Slots are available for

• Breakout Sessions—interactive sessions lasting 60-75 minutes (proposals due Jan. 31)
• Knowledge Hub Tech Talks—10-minute talks on technology topics (proposals due May 31)
• Knowledge Hub Speed Talks—10-minute talks on broader industry topics (proposals due May 31)

ASA webinars, virtual programs held throughout the year on Tuesdays, are typically 60 minutes long (proposals due Jan. 31). For more information and to start your submission, visit americanstaffing.net/presenters.

Renew your membership today so that you will continue to receive the latest legal and regulatory news, information on business trends and industry best practices, and access to thought leaders and industry peers—and so that ASA can continue working to protect your business so that your clients can thrive and your firm can succeed in 2024.

Visit americanstaffing.net/renew or call the membership department at 703-253-2020.

ASA is looking for experts in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry to share their experience and expertise with the ASA community in 2024. Opportunities are available for both Staffing World^®—the ASA annual convention and expo—and for ASA webinars.

Staffing World 2024 takes place Oct. 22–24 in Nashville, TN. The three opportunities for content are breakout sessions (interactive presentations; between 60 and 75 minutes long), Knowledge Hub Tech Talks (presentations on technology topics important to the industry; 10 minutes long), and Knowledge Hub Speed Talks (presentations on general topics important to the industry; 10 minutes long). ASA Webinars take place throughout the year, usually on Tuesdays (virtual presentations on general topics important to the industry; typically 60 minutes long).

For more information and to submit your proposal, visit americanstaffing.net/presenters. The deadline for Staffing World breakout session proposals and ASA webinars is Jan. 31. The deadline for Staffing World Knowledge Hub Speed Talks and Tech Talks is May 31.

Renew your membership today to ensure that you continue to receive access to unparalleled education, networking with industry peers, and expert legal and legislative advocacy on federal and state issues.

Most important, you’ll be supporting the industry while ASA continues working to protect your business so that your clients can thrive and your firm can succeed in 2024.

Visit americanstaffing.net/renew or call the membership department at 703-253-2020.

Staffing employment dipped in the week of Dec. 11–17, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 0.9% to a rounded value of 97. Some staffing companies mentioned seasonal business fluctuations and the holidays as primary factors that limited further growth. Staffing jobs were 8.3% below the same week last year.

New starts in the 50th week of the year were down 2.5% from the prior week. Nearly four in 10 staffing companies (35%) reported gains in new assignments week to week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average decreased from the prior week to a rounded value of 97, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Dec. 17 was 8.3% lower than the same period in 2022.

“The ASA Staffing Index saw a slight drop in December, though some holiday frostbite is typical for staffing employment at this time of year,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA.

This week will be used in the December monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Jan. 5, 2024.