Employment Trends Index rises, no sign of employment slowdown

The Conference Board’s US Employment Trends Index rose in August to a reading of 134.62 from July’s downwardly revised reading of 133.60. Data indicates solid job growth going forward.

The August reading is up 5.6% from the same month a year ago.

“The rapid growth in the Employment Trends Index continued...

CTG to pay board fees only in deferred stock

Computer Task Group Inc. (NASD: CTG) will pay director board fees exclusively in deferred stock units, beginning in 2018. Additionally, shares will only vest upon a director’s retirement from the board. 

Under the current director compensation program, each member of the board makes an annual irrevocable...

‘Table is being set’ for robot vs. worker battle in California – Staffing quote of the week

In a story in The Washington Post about a possible “tax” in California on robots that automate jobs and replace workers, Doug Bloch, political director of Teamsters Joint Council 7 in Northern California and northern Nevada, said it his responsibility to make sure that union drivers receive severance...

GrubHub trial gets underway this week (TechCrunch)

GrubHub this week faces two of its former drivers in a California court in a case that could set a precedent around independent contractor misclassification and the gig economy, TechCrunch reports. While the GrubHub lawsuit is very similar in nature to previous cases involving Uber and DoorDash, it is...

US temp jobs up, but only by 100 in August; overall job growth below estimates

Temporary help jobs edged up by only 100 in August from July, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s revised data also decreased July’s previously reported gain of 14,700 US temp jobs to 10,100.

“At first glance, temporary agency employment...

Judge shoots down Department of Labor overtime rule

An overtime rule that caused concern among employers, including staffing firms, was shot down Thursday by a federal judge in Texas.

The rule targeted overtime pay for employees who work in an “executive, administrative or professional capacity.” Under current regulations, those employees must receive...

In tech: Upwork launches ‘human layer’; Gigster raises $20 million, Michael Jordan is investor

In recent tech news, Upwork is launching a “human layer” with its new Talent Services division and Gigster adds Michael Jordan as an investor in a $20 million funding round. In addition, eHarmony sold its job-matching website; and Zūm, an Uber for children, raised $5.5 million.

Here’s some of the...

Resources Connection acquires German firm in $7 million deal

Resources Connection Inc. (NASD: RECN) acquired a German professional services firm called “taskforce - Management on Demand AG.” The move is part of an effort bolster its European business and provide more integrated solutions.

The transaction included initial consideration of €6.0 million (approximately...

ISM manufacturing index hits six-year high

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August at a faster pace than in July, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers index for US manufacturing. August’s index reading registered 58.8, up from July’s reading of 56.3.

Any reading above 50% generally...

People: Gifted Healthcare, Update Legal, Heidrick, Alliance Resource Group

Nurse staffing firm Gifted Healthcare announced Donna Bowers joined the Tulsa, Okla., office as the division director. She most recently was a nurse navigator at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and previously worked at Saint Francis Health System in a variety of roles, most recently as an administrative...