Slow But Relatively Steady Growth
ASA Staffing Index Monthly Report, May 2021
After five weeks of growth, staffing employment for the week of May 10–16 was unchanged (0.00%) from the prior week, holding at a rounded value of 95, according to the ASA Staffing Index. Staffing Jobs were up significantly (+57.3%) year-to-year and continue to maintain a similar trajectory (-0.02%) relative to the same week in 2019. Temporary-to-hire conversions were mentioned by several staffing companies, in addition to Covid-19, as factors limiting staffing job growth.
New starts expanded 9.3% on average, with half of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased to a rounded value of 95, nearing levels seen in December 2019. Temporary and contract staffing employment from mid-April through mid-May grew 57% compared with the pandemic lows during the same time frame in 2020.
“Although slowing and stalled this past week, overall staffing job growth has continued in May—as evidenced by a healthy expansion in new starts. That’s a sign of steady demand for staffing services,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research.
This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the May monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 4.
A report on the weekly ASA Staffing Index is publicly released every month based on a survey panel of staffing companies curated by ASA. Participants in and subscribers to the ASA Staffing Index gain access to additional results and historical data each week. To participate in or subscribe to the ASA Staffing Index, go to americanstaffing.net/staffing-index.
For more information, follow ASA research on Twitter.
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About the American Staffing Association (ASA)
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.
