Staffing employment contracted 0.6% in the week of Oct. 8 to 14 to a value of 102, according to the American Staffing Association’s staffing index. Still, the index for the 41^st week of the year was at its highest level since 2014. In addition, the index was up 3.5% compared to the same week last year.

Some survey respondents for the index attribute the week-to-week decline to the Columbus Day holiday and inclement weather, according to the ASA. The same week last year also had the Columbus Day holiday.

The index’s four-week moving average remained unchanged at a rounded figure of 102, the strongest reading for the same span of weeks since right before the Great Recession. Staffing employment for the four weeks ended Oct. 14 increased 4.1% year over year.