September 3, 2020

Staffing Employment Falls in Q2 to Great Recession Levels; 3Q20 Revenue Expectations Improve

Following a six-year low in staffing employment during the first quarter of 2020, second quarter data released today by ASA reveal the Covid-19 pandemic’s significant negative effect on providers of workforce solutions. U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.1 million temporary and contract workers per week in the second quarter of 2020—the lowest since the Great Recession.

Staffing employment decreased 33.6% in the second quarter of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019—a historic year-to-year decline. Staffing companies expect their third-quarter revenue to improve sequentially with a year-to-year decrease of 12% predicted for the quarter, and a 13% decrease for the full year.

“During the first two months of the third quarter, staffing companies reported gradual but steady improvements in demand across many sectors as the country pushes to recover and businesses begin increasing the size of their flexible and permanent workforces,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “Barring a second wave of Covid-19-related shutdowns, those increases are expected to continue through the balance of the year.”

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Upcoming Events

Free ASA Webinar Next Week—Opportunities for Workers With Disabilities

Is your firm reaching candidates with disabilities when it dips into the talent pool? Find out about disability inclusion as a workforce strategy and disability employment resources available to staffing professionals during the ASA webinar “Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: Increasing Access and Opportunity.” It takes place Thursday, Sept. 10, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time.

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.

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The Latest From Your Colleagues on ASA Central

ASA Central—the dynamic online community just for staffing professionals—is home to more than 20,000 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:

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.

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Staffing Today is published by the American Staffing Association, with news abstracts copyrighted in 2024 by SmithBucklin of Chicago, IL, and all other content copyrighted in 2024 by ASA. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

About ASA

The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. Learn more at americanstaffing.net.

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