Demand for staffing edged up in September, according to the American Staffing Association's index measuring temporary employment. The index rose to a reading of 77 in September from 75 in August. The reading is still 20.8% lower than the same period in 2008.

The index measures changes in the number of temporary and contract workers both weekly and monthly. The monthly measure is taken from the week containing the 12th of the month. Its baseline value of 100 was set in June 2006.