Hours worked in the US staffing industry fell 10% year over year in the week ended Nov. 19, according to the SIA | Bullhorn Staffing Indicator, released today. The decline was driven by a slowdown in demand for both commercial and professional staffing. However, the momentum with professional staffing remains more favorable.

On a week-over-week basis, hours were down 2.0%. 

Professional staffing hours were stable year over year. Over the past five weeks, hours worked in professional occupations increased by an average year-over-year growth rate of 2%. This is lower than the year-to-date average year-over-year growth rate of 13% for professional staffing hours.

Hours worked in commercial occupations fell 13% year over year. In November, hours worked in commercial occupations fell by an average year-over-year growth rate of 9%. The year-to-date average year-over-year growth rate for commercial staffing hours now stands at 0%.

During the last five weeks, commercial staffing hours dropped by an average of 1.1% week over week, while professional staffing hours fell an average 1.3%; overall, hours in the US staffing industry fell an average 1.2% week over week.

SIA notes demand for temporary staffing services usually ramps up in the fourth quarter. However, this year, high inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions will likely weigh down on economic growth.

The SIA | Bullhorn Staffing Indicator measures hours worked. It comprises two sets of analyses: a year-over-year comparison showing how the most recent week compared to the same week 12 months previously and an indexed value that has been benchmarked against data from the week ended Jan. 19, 2019.

In the week ended Nov. 19, the index value was 101, following readings of 103 and 106 in the prior two weeks as revised.

The full report on the SIA | Bullhorn Staffing Indicator, which provides additional information, is available online.