More labor availability, easier to find applicants: Beige Book

On balance, there was a slight increase in the US economic activity since early January, according to the latest Federal Reserve Beige Book report released March 6. The US labor market tightness eased further, with improved labor availability and employee retention across nearly all districts.

The Beige...

Congressional Republicans target new independent contractor rule

Republican lawmakers have begun an effort to overturn the US Department of Labor’s final rule covering independent contractor misclassification.

The rule was announced Jan. 9 and uses a multifactor “economic reality” test to determine when a worker is an independent contractor. It is scheduled to...

Staffing tech advisors Newbury Partners and Leap Consulting merge

Newbury Partners and Leap Consulting Solutions Inc., two technology vendors to the staffing industry, recently announced they have merged their businesses.

Leap Consulting provides technology advisory services to staffing firms. The firm helps staffing companies find the right technologies they need....

International Women’s Day: ‘Count her in’

With International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, SIA Research Analyst Francesca Profeta writes in the Staffing Stream on the need for women’s economic empowerment and equality in the workplace. “Women’s economic empowerment has many advantages. It increases economic diversification, income...

AI lets job seekers send up to 750 applications per day

New AI products allow job seekers to automate their job search by allowing AI to make applications on their behalf — in some cases, 750 or more applications per day. Business Insider Chief Correspondent Aki Ito tried these AI services and writes about her experience. One service picked up an old cover...

Korn Ferry non-search offerings provide Q3 ‘buffer’

Third-quarter revenue fell 2% in constant currency at Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY), with the declines in the firm’s executive search and RPO businesses. The two lines were impacted by the challenging economic environment. However, revenue rose across the firm’s other segments, including consulting and...

Staffing M&A pulls back in 2023 after previous year’s boom

The number of mergers and acquisitions in the staffing industry pulled back in 2023 after reaching a record level in 2022, according to a report by SIA.

It counted 116 transactions in 2023, down from 139 in 2022. Rising interest rates seemed to dampen demand during the year, with the low point in the...

‘Job gains remain solid’ as US private sector adds 140,000 positions

Employment in the US private sector rose by 140,000 jobs in February, according to the ADP National Employment Report released today.

A media report indicated that a survey of economists had projected a 150,000 increase in private employment.

Total jobs added in January was revised upward to 111,000 from...

Good Labor Jobs acquires Cincinnati-based staffing provider

Good Labor Jobs, a Birmingham, Alabama-based recruitment firm, acquired Martin Recruiting Co., a staffing provider based in Cincinnati. Founded in 2017, Martin provides workers for landscaping and industrial facilities.

Both companies specialize in serving the Hispanic communities, according to the press...

Job openings edge down in January, remain at high levels

Job opening in January edged down 0.3% when compared to December 2023, and hiring and separations also fell, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Associated Press reported the job openings number was in line with expectations and, while down, remain...