Staffing employment for the week of April 12–18 rose 1.4% from the prior week, increasing to a rounded value of 94, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Although there were 55.9% more temporary and contract jobs compared with the same week in 2020, staffing employment levels were steady (+0.3%) relative to the same period in 2019. Covid-19 continues to be mentioned as a factor limiting even further growth.

New starts inched up 0.3% on average, with just under half (47%) of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average maintained a rounded value of 93, for the third consecutive reporting period. Temporary and contract staffing employment mid-March through mid-April expanded 44% compared with the pandemic lows during the same period in 2020.

“Staffing jobs are holding steady and are comparable with 2019 levels—strong evidence of the continued demand for staffing services following the pandemic, when employment plunged to historic lows,” said Cynthia Davidson, senior director of research for the American Staffing Association.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the April monthly employment situation report, which is scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 7.

The virtual ASA Staffing Law Conference begins this Thursday, April 29. It’s the only event dedicated to the legal and regulatory issues facing staffing companies, and the best way to make sure your company has the latest information and resources it needs to protect your business and take advantage of growth opportunities.

Attendees: Get a preview of the industry suppliers sponsoring the event, and start earning Prize Program points now—visit the Staffing Law Conference Sponsor Showcase.

If you’re not yet registered, Reserve your spot today at staffinglawconference.net. Rates are as low as $195.

Gain national recognition for your company, and then leverage that recognition to differentiate your firm in your most competitive markets. Enter the prestigious ASA awards programs. The deadline for all submissions is May 1, and there are no fees to enter.

The ASA Care Awards honor effective social responsibility initiatives in the staffing industry. The ASA Elevate Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract employees. The ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars program (sponsored by StaffPRO³, a division of PMC Insurance Group) honors outstanding temporary or contract employees who exemplify the promise of staffing employment.

Learn more at americanstaffing.net, and submit your entry forms by May 1.

The 2021 ASA Staffing Law Conference takes place virtually April 29–30. It’s the only event dedicated to the legal and regulatory issues facing staffing companies.

Don’t miss industry experts such as James A. Essey, CSP, of TemPositions Group of Cos.; Jill Hulsizer, Esq., of AB Staffing Solutions LLC; Michael Jones, Esq., of Randstad USA; Jason B. Klimpl, Esq., of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP; Helen L. Konrad, Esq., of McCandlish Holton PC; Agape Ogbonda, Esq., of Airswift; Niloy Ray, Esq., of Littler Mendelson PC; Robert Thompson of World Wide Specialty Programs Inc.; and many more.

ASA-certified professionals can earn continuing education hours at this year’s conference, and rates are as low as $195. Visit staffinglawconference.net to learn more.

The legal knowledge and resources that help drive successful staffing companies are now in one place—the Top Legal Resources for Staffing section of the ASA website. Bookmark the page, americanstaffing.net/top-legal-resources, and share it with others in your company. The Top Legal Resources for Staffing page features valuable downloads, such as model contracts, legal case studies, on-demand webinars on legal topics, and much more.

The webpage also features resources and information from the industry’s leading law firms, such as Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP. Check out the firm’s paper “Unmasking the Implications of the New Stimulus Package for Employers” on the Top Legal Resources for Staffing page.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s ASA webinar “Staffing STATS—Data-Centric Webinar Series: What Today’s Employment Data Means for Your Company Tomorrow,” the first in new Staffing STATS webinar series, 2–3 p.m. Eastern time.

Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research, will discuss how the pandemic year affected the economy and the industry and then facilitate a Q&A with Joanie Bily, president of the RemX division of EmployBridge Holding Co.

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.

Are you a woman looking for ways to grow your leadership skills and expand your professional reach? ASA THRIVE will deliver valuable content designed especially for women in the staffing industry. Brought to you by the ASA women in leadership interest group, it takes place Wednesday, May 19, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Hear from keynote speaker Heather Monahan—who will teach you how to build confidence, make a plan to help others create confidence, and spark systemic and lasting change within your organization—and then connect with standout women leaders in a collaborative virtual environment. Rates start at $70 for ASA members. Learn more and register at americanstaffing.net. The women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partner Bullhorn, and by Anthem, Assurance, ClearEdge Marketing, Mee Derby, and WorkN.

The ASA Staffing Law Conference, the only event dedicated to the legal and regulatory issues facing staffing companies, takes place virtually April 29–30.

Make sure your company has the latest information and resources it needs to protect your business and take advantage of growth opportunities. Reserve your spot today at staffinglawconference.net. Rates are as low as $195.

Earn national recognition for your company—ASA is now accepting applications for ASA Care Awards, ASA Elevate Awards, and the ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars. The deadline for all submissions is May 1, and there are no fees to enter.

The ASA Care Awards honor effective social responsibility initiatives in the staffing industry. These initiatives serve local communities as well as drive employee engagement. The ASA Elevate Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract employees. National Staffing Employee of the Year (sponsored by StaffPRO³, a division of PMC Insurance Group) is an outstanding temporary or contract employee who exemplifies the promise of staffing employment.

To learn more and apply, visit americanstaffing.net/awards.

The 2021 ASA Staffing Law Conference takes place virtually April 29–30. It’s the only event dedicated to the legal and regulatory issues facing staffing companies, and one of the planned sessions is “Immigration Reform and Enforcement: What Staffing Firms Can Expect in the Next Four Years.”

The enforcement of immigration laws over the past four years has escalated and staffing firms have been in the bullseye of enforcement agency activities. Find out how recent changes in Washington, DC, will affect immigration reform and enforcement for employers. Hear from leading experts about what will likely change for your business operations and what can’t change over the next four years. Get the latest information on the status of virtual I-9s—and whether there is any hope that they’re here to stay—and how to navigate the latest immigration rules to avoid fines and protect your company. Sponsored by HireTech.

ASA-certified professionals can earn continuing education hours at this year’s conference, and rates are as low as $195. Visit staffinglawconference.net to learn more.