ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.95 million temporary and contract workers per business day during the third quarter of 2012, according to recent data released by the American Staffing Association.
"Even though the rate of growth slowed during the fall, third quarter staffing employment was the highest it has been in five years," says Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer.
From July through September of this year, the number of temporary and contract workers employed by U.S. staffing firms on an average business day was 4.3% higher compared with the third quarter of 2011. This is the 11th consecutive quarter of year-to-year staffing industry job growth since the recession ended mid-2009.
"The economy continues to struggle to regain its pre-recession footing and until businesses have more confidence and see sustained increases in demand, new permanent hiring will likely remain tepid as we enter 2013," Wahlquist says.
Temporary and contract staffing sales in the third quarter totaled $26.63 billion and were 5.9% higher year-to-year.
See the http://www.americanstaffing.net/statistics/employment.cfm">ASA Web site for more details about the quarterly ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey. You can also visit the http://www.americanstaffing.net/newsroom/releases.cfm">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 staffing 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.
The American Staffing Association logo is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16291