The economy expanded at a moderate pace through the end of August, according to the Federal Reserve Board’s latest report on regional economies (known as the “beige book”). Employment and wages continued to grow at a modest to moderate pace, even as labor market tightness persisted. Businesses in some districts increasingly added benefits—such as vacation time, flexible schedules, and bonuses—to attract and retain employees. Businesses also noted they were putting more resources into training. Staffing demand was strong or growing in several districts, but labor shortages continued to pose an obstacle.
View interactive beige book summaries by district, focused on employment, wages, and the staffing industry, at americanstaffing.net/federal-reserve-beige-book.
To learn more about research by the American Staffing Association, visit americanstaffing.net/research. You can also follow ASA research on Twitter.
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About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.
Up 3.3% From a Year Ago Temporary help employment grew robustly, adding 28,000 jobs over the month of July, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Staffing employment increased 0.9% from June to July and was 3.3% higher than in July 2017. Year-to-year staffing job growth has averaged… More ›
Economic activity increased across all 12 Federal Reserve districts, according to the Federal Reserve Board’s latest report on regional economies (known as the “beige book”). The pace of growth was split between modest and moderate. Employment growth was modest, and labor markets were tight. Employers in many districts struggled to find qualified workers, and these… More ›
Staffing Job Growth Trend Continues Temporary help employment edged up 0.5% from October to November, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Staffing firms added 14,300 jobs in November, which was 1.9% higher than November 2015. Over the past six months, year-to-year job growth has averaged 1.6% per… More ›
ASA Staffing Index Monthly Report, April 2016 Staffing employment for the week of April 11–17 edged up to 94.62, according to the ASA Staffing Index— the highest value this year. Temporary and contract staffing employment was up 0.38% from the prior week, and was 2.71% lower than the same week last year. This week, containing… More ›
Top 10 List of Occupations Difficult to Fill The American Staffing Association’s Skills Gap Index identified the hardest-to-fill occupations in the U.S. for the third quarter of 2015, with the 10 most difficult being Podiatrists Photographic process workers and processing machine operators Occupational therapists Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Psychiatrists Forest fire inspectors and prevention… More ›
Top 10 List of Occupations Difficult to Fill The American Staffing Association’s Skills Gap Index identified 181 hard-to-fill occupations in the U.S. for the 12 months ended March 2015, with the 10 most difficult being Occupational therapists Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Physical therapists Photographic process workers and processing machine operators Occupational therapy assistants Speech-language… More ›
ASA Staffing Index Monthly Report, December 2014 ASA Staffing Index Continues to Climb Staffing employment for the week of Dec. 8–14 rose to 107.54, according to the ASA Staffing Index—the highest value since the index’s inception in June 2006. Temporary and contract staffing employment increased 0.40% from the prior week, and was 4.18% higher than… More ›
“Over the year, employment in professional and business services [which includes staffing] has expanded by 648,000,” said BLS commissioner Erica L. Groshen, commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. More ›
Seasonally adjusted employment data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that staffing firms added 25,600 new jobs from April to May (up 1.0%). More ›
Seasonally adjusted employment data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that staffing firms added 16,000 new jobs from January to February (up More ›
