The American Staffing Association’s staffing index rose to a reading of 94 in the week of Jan. 8 to Jan. 14, reaching the second-highest value for the same week since the inception of the ASA Staffing Index in 2006. Temporary and contract staffing employment was 5.0% higher than the prior week — which included the New Year’s Day holiday — despite survey respondents citing Martin Luther King’s Birthday weekend as a condition that hindered growth for the week.

Staffing employment edged up 0.8% compared to the same week last year.

The index’s four-week moving average softened to 90 from 91, following the typical seasonal pattern given that January is the industry’s trough month. Year over year, the four-week average edged down 0.6%.