Majority of employers, almost half of workers positive about automation; but worry over loss of human touch

Automation technologies in the workplace were viewed positively by a majority of employers and nearly half of workers, but there are worries about losing the human touch.

A survey by MetLife found that 56% of employers have a positive view of automation technologies that can help them do human jobs, compared...

Relationships still matter in the gig economy (The Globe and Mail)

Gig economy workers using online platforms enjoy greater flexibility in trade for lesser security, but relationships still matter, writes Nura Jabagi in The Globe and Mail newspaper. Gig workers are no different than traditional nine-to-five workers in that they need a sense of purpose and a feeling...

What artificial intelligence could mean for staffing (Forbes)

Artificial intelligence could bring advantages in the contingent workforce space, according to an article by Ted Sergott, executive VP, product development at PRO Unlimited. Sergott wrote about AI and staffing in a Forbes article. “Although specific functionality may vary slightly based on industry...

Public staffing firms’ median revenue up 9% amid growth trend in last quarter; next earnings season starting

Revenue growth among the 22 publicly traded staffing firms that operate in North America improved for the fourth consecutive quarter in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a new report released by Staffing Industry Analysts just ahead of the first quarter's earnings-release season.

Quarterly...

Command Center settles proxy battle, the staffing firm to appoint new board members

Command Center Inc., (OCTCBB: CCNI), a Lakewood, Colo.-based industrial staffing firm, announced Monday it reached a settlement in a proxy battle with Ephraim Fields of Echo Lake Capital. Fields had raised concerns about the company in November, saying it was underperforming, and called for a new board....

InGenesis closes acquisition of Kelly Healthcare Resources division

InGenesis Inc. closed its acquisition of the Kelly Healthcare Resources division of Kelly Services (NASD: KELYA). The deal had initially been announced in January.

The deal included Kelly’s healthcare practice, client portfolio and talent pool.

“We are pleased with the collaboration from everyone who...

Online staffing firm TaskRabbit closes site while investigating cybersecurity issue

Online staffing firm TaskRabbit announced Monday its website and app were down as it investigated a cybersecurity incident. The site contained only a secuity update as of 9 a.m. Pacific time this morning.

“TaskRabbit is currently investigating a cybersecurity incident,” the company wrote in a tweet,...

Healthcare group claims fatigue at human cloud, ride-sharing operations could pose public safety issue

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine in a position statement claimed fatigue and sleepiness are inherent safety risks in the human cloud, ride-sharing industry.

Uber and Lyft announced programs that require drivers to take a break after driving for a certain period of time. But the AASM argues these...

Union for gig economy online platform workers? (International Labour Organization)

Gig economy, online platform workers are making inroads in organizing themselves, according to information from the International Labour Organization. They have seen success in some countries, but in others anti-competition laws that cover independent contractors have hampered organization efforts. “Despite...

Adecco acquires training provider General Assembly in deal that gives firm enterprise value of $412.5 million

The Adecco Group today announced it acquired General Assembly, a training firm focused on IT skills, in a deal that gives General Assembly a total enterprise value of $412.5 million. The deal is expected to close this quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

General Assembly...