ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.86 million temporary and contract workers per day in the first quarter of 2013, up 2.9% from the same period last year, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. The January through March period marked 13 consecutive quarters of year-to-year staffing job growth since the recession ended in 2009.
"Temporary and contract employment is a good indicator of where the economy is today," says Richard Wahlquist, American Staffing Association president and chief executive officer. "Most staffing firms expect to see slow but steady growth in the months ahead."
In a quarter-to-quarter comparison, staffing jobs declined by 148,000 workers (down 4.9%) from fourth quarter 2012 to first quarter 2013—a seasonal employment pattern that is typical of this time of year.
Temporary and contract staffing sales totaled $25.88 billion in the first quarter of 2013, 3.4% higher than in the same period in 2012. First quarter sales were $924 million dollars lower than in the fourth quarter of 2012, down 3.4%. See the ASA website for more details about the quarterly ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey. You can also visit the ASA newsroom. Interviews with ASA executives are available.
About the ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey
The ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey has been conducted on a quarterly basis since 1992. The survey covers approximately 10,000 establishments (about a third of the industry) and the employment results parallel the establishment surveys of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ASA provides the only survey-based quarterly estimate of U.S. temporary and contract staffing sales.
About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing industry. ASA and its affiliated chapters advance the interests of staffing and recruiting firms of all sizes and across all sectors through legal and legislative advocacy, public relations, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. ASA members provide the full range of employment and work force services and solutions, including temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and permanent placement, outplacement and outsourcing, training, and human resource consulting.
Staffing Jobs Continue Growth Trend in First Quarter 2013
New Data From the ASA Quarterly Employment and Sales Survey
| Source: American Staffing Association (ASA)
