News Release

May 27, 2008

Staffing industry employment declined slightly in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year, according to survey data released today by the American Staffing Association.

America's staffing companies employed an average of 2.8 million temporary and contract workers per day from January through March—down 1.7% or 48,000 jobs from the first quarter of last year. This was the second consecutive quarter of year-to-year declines and marks only the fourth time since the second quarter of 2002, as the economy was recovering from the 2001 recession, that quarterly employment in the industry decreased from the same period of the previous year. Previous declines occurred in the fourth quarter of 2006, the first quarter of 2007, and the fourth quarter of 2007.

"Demand has softened for lower skilled labor, but there continues to be growing demand for higher skilled talent." says Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer.

Separately, Wahlquist notes, the ASA Staffing Index—which measures weekly changes in staffing industry employment—has been flat since the beginning of the year. "The latest data suggest that the staffing industry has remained more resilient than in previous periods when the economy had slowed and we had precipitous drops in temporary and contract employment."

U.S. sales of temporary and contract staffing totaled $17.7 billion in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 1.5% over the same quarter of the previous year, and a new first quarter record, according to the ASA survey.

To view historical data at americanstaffing.net from the ASA quarterly survey (1992 to present) or weekly measures of staffing employment, visit Staffing Employment and Sales Survey or Staffing Index, respectively.

Interviews with ASA key personnel are available.

The American Staffing Association promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices for the $91 billion U.S. staffing industry. ASA members account for 85% of U.S. staffing industry sales and operate more than 15,000 offices throughout the nation. Three million Americans go to work for U.S. staffing companies every business day.

Founded to promote flexible employment opportunities and ensure the quality of staffing services, ASA has been the voice of the U.S. staffing industry since 1966. Members provide a wide range of employment services and solutions, including temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and permanent placement, outplacement and outsourcing, training, and human resource consulting. ASA and its affiliated chapters promote the interests of the industry through legal and legislative advocacy, public relations, education, and the establishment of high standards of ethical conduct.

Contact
Reem El-Khatib
Public Relations Coordinator
703-253-2047
relkhatib@americanstaffing.net