Staffing employment eased for a seventh straight week in the week of March 13–19, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 0.2% to hold at a rounded value of 98. A few staffing companies mentioned school breaks or seasonal business fluctuations as barriers preventing further growth. Staffing jobs were 6.6% below the same week last year.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average nudged down from the prior week to a rounded value of 98.5, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending March 19 was 6.6% lower than the same period in 2022.
New starts in the 11th week of the year increased by 2.8% from the prior week. More than half of staffing companies (53%) reported gains in new assignments week to week.
“Staffing employment continues to trail 2022 numbers but has remained fairly steady over the past several weeks,” said Tim Hulley, ASA assistant director of research.
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 7.
