Optimistic outlook for 2016, Express Employment survey finds

Half of business leaders expect moderate growth in 2016, according to a survey released today by Express Employment Professionals. Fewer predicted a decrease in business activity, while more predicted growth.

“Many companies faced their share of challenges in 2015, but by and large, business leaders...

People: Labor Smart, Chartwell, SolomonEdwards, PrideStaff

Industrial staffing provider Labor Smart (OTCQB: LTNC) added Bud Little as the third member of its recently created advisory board. Little has been president of consulting services provider SFL3 LLC since 2009. Prior to SFL3, he was CFO of TrueBlue Inc.’s (NYSE: TBI) skilled trades group, following...

Next Daily News on Monday

The next issue of the Staffing Industry Daily News will publish on Monday because of the upcoming holiday. Have a happy New Year!

GPS navigation firm TomTom to use Pontoon MSP

TomTom, a global maker of GPS navigation and map products based in Amsterdam, recently chose Pontoon’s MSP to manage its external temporary worker program. This is TomTom’s first use of an MSP, which will be used primarily for IT skill sets. The VMS provider in the deal will be Beeline.

The partnership...

System One acquisition brings government IT staffing experience

Pittsburgh-based System One acquired ALTA IT Services, a Rockville, Md.-based company providing IT staffing and consulting to government agencies and commercial clients.

The transaction closed Dec. 28; terms were not disclosed.

ALTA becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of System One Holdings, LLC, and the...

Oregon OSHA releases new program directive for temp agencies

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division posted a revised program directive that provides guidance to Oregon OSHA staff when working with temporary service providers and worker leasing companies.

The revised program directive contains inspection criteria that apply to temporary service providers...

Jobs outlook fuels consumer confidence in December

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index for the US rose in December following moderate decreases in both November and October, The Conference Board announced today. The index rose to a reading of 96.5 (1985=100), up from a reading of 92.6 in November.

Consumers’ outlook for the labor market...

Microsoft’s first term-limit period ending — Staffing quote of the week

GeekWire reports that Jan. 1 marks the end of the first 18-month period since Microsoft implemented an 18-month term limit for contingent workers. “The policy was announced and went into effect on July 1, 2014 and requires that external staff have a break in network and building access after 18 months...

PEO acquires Des Moines-based Portico Staffing

PEO Merit Resources acquired Portico Staffing, a staffing provider based in Des Moines, Iowa. The announcement was made in a blog post by the INS Family of Companies, the owner of Merit Resources.

The transaction is effective Dec. 28; terms were not disclosed.

Portico Staffing will continue operating out...

Work Opportunity Tax Credit extended, long-term jobless now eligible

The year-end spending and tax bill passed into law this month extends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for five years and adds long-term unemployed as a target group. The WOTC was renewed retroactively through Dec. 31, 2019.

The Federal tax credit is available to employers that hire individuals from certain...