Revenue and net income rose at Resources Connection Inc. (NASD: RECN) in its most recent quarter ended Aug. 31, but gross margin slipped, in part, because of contingent worker vacations, the company reported Tuesday.

Net income at the Irvine CA-based company increased 5.8% to $11.6 million in the first quarter of the company's fiscal year, compared with $11.0 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 17.6% to $194.1 million from $165.1 a year ago.

Gross margin, however, slipped to 37.9% in the quarter, down from 39.5% in the first quarter of its last fiscal year. The company said workers' vacations took a bite out of its margins.

The company said U.S. revenue rose 14% from a year ago. Resources Connection also said the total number of workers on assignment rose to 3,206 on Aug. 31, up 11% from a year ago.

Shares in Resources Connection fell 22.02% to $24.92 in mid-morning trading. The company projected second-quarter revenue of $200 million, analysts had expected $216.3 million.

Resources Connection provides professionals in accounting and finance, risk management, internal audit, legal services and other areas through its Resources Global Professionals operating subsidiary.

Resources Connection Inc. (NASD: RECN)

For the first quarter of its fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007, compared with the same period in 2006.

Revenue: $194.1 million, +17.6%

Net income: $11.6 million, +5.8%