Staffing employment edged down during the week of March 10–16, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing 0.3% but holding at a rounded value of 83. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 7.7% lower relative to the same period last year, widening the gap slightly from 7.5% observed the previous week.
New starts also edged down in the 11th week of the year, decreasing 2.2% from the prior week. Almost four in 10 staffing companies (37%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, below the average of 45% so far in 2025.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week but held at a rounded value of 83. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending March 16 was 7.4% below the same period in 2024.
“Employment momentum remains confounded by a trifecta of higher labor costs, lower labor turnover, and plenty of uncertainties about the economy,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “Staffing companies, much like their clients, remain hopeful for labor market conditions to improve over the year but are prepared to weather further stagnation for the time being.”
This week will be used in the March monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics April 4.
