Jobless claims average falls, initial claims match lowest level for 2019

The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 217,250 last week, down 3,250 from the previous week, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised downward by 4,500.

The four-week moving average smooths the volatility of the week-to-week...

Texas rule would classify workers dispatched by digital platforms as independent contractors (Houston Public Media)

A rule proposed by the Texas Workforce Commission would classify workers as independent contractors, not employees, when dispatched by a digital platform, Houston Public Media reports. Advocates are calling on the state agency to withdraw the rule, which would apply to providers of home repair,...

Paychex revenue up 14% in fiscal third quarter

Revenue rose 14% at Paychex Inc. (NASD: PAYX) in its fiscal third quarter ended Feb 28.

The Rochester, NY-based firm in December acquired Oasis Outsourcing Acquisition Corp., one of the largest professional employer organizations in the US, for a purchase price of $1.2 billion. Revenue in Paychex’s...

Hiring to remain high through second quarter, industrial sector particularly strong: Express Employment Professionals

Job openings should remain high through the second quarter, with hiring particularly strong in the industrial sector, according to a survey released today by Express Employment Professionals.

In the survey of Express businesses, 80% of respondents said they planned to hire in the second quarter; 39% plan...

Pay is top barrier to hiring tech talent: Robert Half Technology survey

Employers having trouble bringing on technology talent may need to review their salary offers, according to a survey released today by Robert Half Technology.

The survey asked IT decision-makers about the issues hindering their hiring efforts, and the leading response was an inability to present competitive...

Pay gap still exists, but narrowing slightly in US: Glassdoor

Although significant pay gaps remain between men and women, the pay gap has narrowed slightly since 2016 in the US, UK, France and Australia, according to a Glassdoor survey released today.

The unadjusted pay gap between men and women in the US today is 21.4% — meaning women earn, on average, 79 cents...

Premier Employee Solutions to settle EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit for $34,000

A Greensboro, NC-based temporary staffing provider will pay $34,000 and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Sarah Isley began working for Premier Employee Solutions...

California bill curbing use of contractors would not exempt Uber, Lyft, other tech firms (Los Angeles Times)

California is moving to codify a sweeping court decision curbing employers’ use of independent contractors, and the new law is unlikely to exempt Uber, Lyft and other app-based technology companies. The Los Angeles Times reports the bill offers exceptions for a small group of occupations and may include...

Groupe Crit 2018 revenue up 3.3%

Groupe Crit reported revenue rose 3.3% year over year to €2.50 billion (US$2.9 billion); the increase was 3.7% when adjusted for currencies and acquisitions. Staffing and recruitment revenue rose 1.8%, or up 2.4% when adjusted for currencies and acquisitions, to €2.06 billion (US$2.4 million) in...

Internal staff suggest ways to improve their staffing firms: SIA

Operational simplification and improved efficiency are ideas commonly suggested by internal workers to improve their staffing firm, according to research recently released by Staffing Industry Analysts. Internal workers also recommend better communication and better technology.

Staffing firms’ internal...