Staffing employment for the week of March 8–14 was relatively unchanged (+0.05%) from the prior week, according to the ASA Staffing Index, yet there were 11.2% more staffing jobs compared with the same week in 2020. The ongoing effects of Covid-19 were mentioned as a factor limiting even further growth. Four in 10 staffing firms (46%) reported increases in temporary and contract employment.

New starts were down 6.4% on average, with three in 10 staffing companies (32%) reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“While the upward trend in staffing jobs that appeared to be emerging last month has flattened, temporary and contract employment is holding steady at levels well above the start of the pandemic in 2020,” 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 March monthly employment situation report, which is scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics April 2.

ASA is looking for experts in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry to share their experience and expertise in workshops and in Tech Park and Game Changer presentations at the ASA annual convention and expo.

Staffing World^® 2021 takes place Sept. 28–30 in Denver. Today is the last day to submit a Staffing World proposal at americanstaffing.net.

Can you offer solutions for the challenges that staffing firms face today? ASA is looking for experts in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry to share their experience and expertise at the ASA annual convention and expo.

As a presenter at Staffing World^® 2021, Sept. 28–30 in Denver, you will have the opportunity to reach out to industry professionals and build lasting connections during a Breakout Session, Tech Talk, or Game Changer presentation. Today is the last day to submit a Staffing World proposal at 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. Learn from and connect with standout women leaders in a collaborative virtual environment.

At the second virtual ASA THRIVE, keynote speaker Heather Monahan will teach you how to build confidence, make a plan to help others create confidence, and spark systemic and lasting change within your organization. It takes place Wednesday, May 19, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Rates start at $70 for members. Learn more and register at americanstaffing.net.

As part of its continued effort to support staffing firms’ response to Covid-19, ASA has launched a new webpage: Vaccine Literacy Resources for Staffing Firms. The site provides valuable downloads and links employers can use to engage and educate workers about Covid-19 vaccines. ASA partnered with the Health Action Alliance to share these free resources, including a quick-start guide, sample communications, vaccine FAQs, a social media tool kit, and more.

Research shows that businesses and employers are a trusted source of information and are well-suited to advance vaccine literacy efforts. The new ASA site also links to National Safety Council resources, developed by NSC’s “SAFER: Safe Actions for Employee Returns” task force.

Visit the Vaccine Literacy Resources page today and check back regularly for updates—ASA will post new resources as they become available.

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 “The ‘American Rescue Plan’—What Does It Mean for Employers?”

Employers will face major cost increases if Congress passes President Biden’s sweeping $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan today. The plan would re-enact the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, expand federal unemployment insurance benefits, and mandate back hazard pay for frontline workers, and more. New grant money will be available to the hardest-hit small businesses, and new financing support provided for others. Find out what’s at stake for your company. Sponsored by Essential StaffCARE.

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.

ASA is now accepting submissions for its prestigious awards programs—ASA Care Awards, ASA Elevate Awards, and the ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars. Online submissions are due 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.

Gain national recognition for your company, and then leverage that recognition to differentiate your firm in your most competitive markets. Being named as among the best in the industry is a valuable tool your company can use to sell to and engage with clients and talent.

In partnership with the Women Business Collaborative staffing leadership council, ASA today announced the results of the first survey on diversity, inclusion, and equity in the U.S. staffing and recruiting industry. The study, which queried executives in 489 companies, found, in part, that less than 20% of staffing agency executives are women.

The survey also found that a lack of racial diversity exists in the staffing industry, with people of color comprising well under 10% of all staff. The industry has a fair balance of men and women across its workforce, but imbalance occurs as leadership levels increase—with an underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles.

“ASA is dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the staffing industry—across industries, geographies, and roles, and for both temporary and corporate employees,” said Diana Mertz, ASA senior director member engagement. “The WBC survey is an important benchmark to drive efforts to advance equity for all in the industry.”

Over the next several months the WBC staffing council will release a series of additional insights and observations from the survey. This project will be aligned with the work of the nine WBC action initiatives, which focus on ensuring equal position, pay, and power for all women across all industries and throughout the pipeline.

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 will feature “The Most Entertaining Game Show Ever: Staffing Law Edition.”

If you’ve ever attended Staffing World^®, then you’ve likely enjoyed a lively game show-style session presented by the ASA legal team. Featuring important legal questions, video clues, and prizes, this Staffing Law edition of the Most Entertaining Game Show Ever is designed to maximize learning and interaction and provide some fun and friendly competition focused on important staffing law topics for your company.

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.