Employment trends index rises, suggests ‘robust’ job growth through summer

The Conference Board’s US Employment Trends Index increased sharply in April to a reading of 132.64 from March’s upwardly revised reading of 131.58. The April reading, which followed an increase in March, is up 4.1% from the same month a year ago.

“The Employment Trends Index has been expanding...

National Nurses Week targets self-care as jobs increase at accelerated rate

National Nurses Week began Saturday and continues through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the American Nurses Association announced. The theme for the week is “The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit.”

With a focus on self-care, ANA has also designated 2017 as the “Year of the Healthy...

Interest in side gigs escalates, survey finds

A large percentage of workers, 85%, hold at least one side gig or secondary source of employment in addition to their primary job, according to a study commissioned by Spherion Staffing. Of that group, more than half, 54%, hold two or more side gigs, extending their skills across multiple roles and fields...

The IT gig economy: Are freelancers or FTEs your best fit? (SecurityIntelligence)

Opting for freelance talent comes with a number of benefits for  companies seeking IT skills, SecurityIntelligence reports. Most people making the shift to contingent work are mid-career and highly skilled, meaning they’ve got the dual benefit of education and on-the-job experience. They’re...

Virginia town argues code enforcement officer was temporary employee (InsideNoVa)

A lawsuit filed by a former Dumfries, Va., employee against the town and Mayor Jerry Foreman is now set for a jury trial, though a judge has thrown out some of the suit’s allegations. InsideNoVa reports Raymond Jackson, who was once the town’s building code enforcement officer, claims the mayor broke...

US temp jobs rise by 5,800, penetration rate hits new high

Temporary help jobs rose by 5,800 in April from March and the temp penetration rate reached an all-time high, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The temp penetration rate — temp jobs as a percent of total employment — edged up to 2.058% in...

House passes new healthcare bill, but battle still looms in Senate

The House of Representative on Thursday narrowly approved the American Health Care Act, a healthcare bill intended to replace the Affordable Care Act. The revised American Health Care Act passed on a 217-213 vote along party lines; All Democrats and 20 Republicans voted against the bill.

Despite celebrations...

AMN revenue up 6% in Q1, nurse and allied revenue up 14%

Revenue rose 5.8% in the first quarter at AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AMN). Excluding labor disruption revenue and the leap-year impact, consolidated first quarter revenue rose 10% year over year.

The San Diego-based firm ranks as the largest US healthcare staffing provider.

Barrett’s revenue rises 10% in Q1, PEO revenue up 11%

Barrett Business Services Inc. (NASD: BBSI) reported net revenue rose 10.0% in the first quarter. PEO revenue rose 11.3% at the Vancouver, Wash.-based professional employer organization and staffing provider.

Canada adds part-time jobs in April as labor market ‘took a pause’

Canada added only 3,200 jobs in April from March as a gain in part-time jobs offset a loss in full-time employment, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released by Statistics Canada. The number of full-time jobs fell by 31,200 in April while part-time jobs rose by 34,300.

Compared to the same month...