The deadline to submit entries for the association’s professional recognition programs has been extended. ASA will accept applications for the ASA Care Awards, ASA Elevate Awards, and National Staffing Employee of the Year through Friday, June 2.

The ASA Care Awards recognize outstanding social responsibility initiatives among ASA member companies; the ASA Elevate Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract talent; and the ASA National Staffing Employee of the Year and Sector All-Stars program honors individuals nominated by ASA member companies who best exemplify one or more of the staffing industry’s key messages—bridge and flexibility.

To learn more and submit an application or nomination, visit americanstaffing.net/awards.

By attending the ASA Staffing Law Conference, including the pre-conference special session “Health Care Staffing—Combating the Legal and Legislative Issues Ahead,” attendees can earn up to 9.5 continuing education hours (8.0 CE hours for just the Thursday–Friday sessions). To maintain an ASA credential, ASA-certified professionals are required to participate in 30 hours of approved CE every three years. ASA-certified conference attendees can expect their CE hours earned to automatically be added to their CE status 10–14 business days after the conference.

The 2023 ASA Staffing Law conference has also been preapproved by SHRM and HRCI. Upon request, ASA will provide documentation, including a verified letter of attendance, that will be required to validate participation in the conference for other certification programs. For additional information or help with CE questions, email certification@americanstaffing.net.

Staffing companies—particularly small businesses and minority-, veteran-, LGBT-, and woman-owned businesses—find they may be able to partner with larger companies that have supplier diversity initiatives in place.

The ASA inclusion, diversity, and equity advocacy (IDEA) group has developed guidance for ASA members interested in partnering with those companies or in becoming a diverse-owned certified business. The ASA IDEA group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners ClearlyRated and Monster along with supporting sponsors HiringSolved and WorkN.

Visit americanstaffing.net/diversity for a directory of diversity certification organizations, a glossary of common terms, and more.

The ASA board of directors and staff welcome the following new members, which joined during the week ending May 14.

Art Handler Network
Ossining, NY
MSR Cosmos
Pleasanton, CA
R&V Recruitment US Ltd.
New York, NY
Verovian Healthcare Recruitment Agency
Frisco, TX

The ASA Staffing Law Conference is happening today and continues tomorrow at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC. Today’s sessions include discussions about using technology to recruit, screen, select, and assign candidates; following best practices for layoffs and terminations; complying with laws regarding restrictive covenants; and more.

Sessions tomorrow include discussions about performing background checks and drug tests; risks surrounding health insurance plans and employer-of-record services; and a look at the “gotcha” issues every staffing agency should know about. This is the only event dedicated exclusively to the legal and regulatory issues facing staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions companies. Find out more at staffinglawconference.net.

ASA Central—the dynamic online community just for staffing professionals—is home to more than 27,000 staffing professional profiles and countless ongoing industry conversations.

This week, take a look at your colleagues’ discussions and some of the blogs they’ve posted on ASA Central:

• ASA Central then and now
• Client billing terms
• Planning for the end of remote verification for Form I-9

Get involved with the community—update your profile today so you can network with colleagues, join a section community, recommend and comment on your colleagues’ posts, and share your own blog or discussion post. Log in to ASA Central now.

Share your insights with the ASA community in 2023. Submit your proposal to present a 10-minute talk in the Knowledge Hub at Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo—either a Tech Talk (on a technology topic important to the industry) or a Speed Talk (on a general topic important to the industry).

Staffing World takes place Oct. 3–5 in Charlotte, NC, and ASA is looking for experts in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry to share their experience and expertise. For more information and to start your submission, visit americanstaffing.net. The deadline for Staffing World Knowledge Hub proposals is May 31.

Are you looking to support your colleagues and help advance future leaders in the staffing and recruiting industry? Enroll as a mentor in the ASA Mentor Match program. Mentor Match allows members to make valuable industry connections, define career goals, and gain insight from staffing peers. The goal of the program is to help members grow professionally and network with fellow ASA members.

Mentors are matched with a mentee based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in July will be accepted through May 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started.

The next few weeks will be full of free education from ASA. These upcoming ASA webinars can help you find the best candidates, protect your business, and more.

May 23—”The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Continued Scrutiny of Staffing Relationships“
Andrew L. Scroggins of Seyfarth Shaw LLP will discuss the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s current initiatives—and how your firm can avoid enforcement activity by updating its practices to ensure compliance.

May 25—”The Return of the “Double Dip” Tax Fraud Scheme: Understanding Its Key Elements and Dangers “
As classic “double dip” tax fraud schemes continue to target the staffing industry, Jay Marshall Dye of ASA corporate partner Essential StaffCARE will review what staffing companies need to know and how you can avoid falling for a double dip tax fraud scheme.

May 30—”Discover Hidden Superpowers: How to Leverage Personality Tests to Create Better Teams“
Traditional personality assessments focus almost exclusively on the person taking the test. Amy Yackowski of Painted Porch Strategies has a new kind of assessment you can use to create a balanced, effective team.

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.

Getting background checks right—whether for temporary, contract, or corporate employees—is critical to your firm’s success, as well as its compliance with the law. In the latest issue of Staffing Success magazine, get practical guidance on conducting background checks and drug tests, navigating the changing landscape, and sourcing reliable third-party vendors. Plus, you can find a list of reputable suppliers to help you navigate this complex terrain.

Continue the conversation at the ASA Staffing Law Conference this week, where there will be a session titled “Getting to Know You: Why Are Background Checks and Drug Tests So Hard?” Learn more and register today.

ASA members can access the current issue and back issues of Staffing Success, and other ASA digital publications, at americanstaffing.net/digital.