Four in 10 execs say caliber of freelance creative talent is rising

More than half of companies employ creative freelancers, according to a survey released today by The Creative Group, a division of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI). And 39% say the caliber of freelance creative talent is rising.

“While freelancing is not a new concept in the creative...

Canada adds 32,700 jobs in February, ADP report finds

Canada’s employment rose by 32,700 jobs in February from January, according to the ADP Canada national employment report.

“February was a strong month for job growth in Canada,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, VP and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “The education and healthcare industry had particularly...

Jobless claims average edges down by 750; initial claims fall by 4,000

The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance edged down to 221,500 last week, down 750 from the previous week’s unrevised average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised down by 250.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility...

Report questions perception of skills gap

While the prevalent national narrative is that there is a troubling skills gap among college-educated workers in the US labor market, analysis conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers questions whether the skills gap is as pervasive as it is cast to be.

In a NACE Journal article...

Eight state legislatures considering bills to permanently classify most gig workers as independent contractors (CNN)

CNN reports New York-based Handy, an online platform that connects users with home service providers, has put bills in front of eight state legislatures this year that would permanently classify most gig workers as independent contractors. All eight bills have passed at least the house or senate in each...

Management and private equity buy CoreMedical Group, a healthcare staffing firm

Private equity firm Gen Cap America Inc. sponsored a buyout of CoreMedical Group in partnership with management.

Manchester, NH-based CoreMedical Group — a healthcare staffing and recruiting agency providing travel and permanent placement for nurses, allied health professionals and physicians — ranks...

Hiring plans in Mexico hold steady for Q2, ManpowerGroup report finds

Mexican employers report steady hiring plans for the upcoming quarter, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). Ongoing NAFTA negotiations appear to have little effect on overall employer confidence.

The survey found 18% of employers in Mexico forecast an increase in staffing levels in...

Highest-paying gig economy fields include AI, blockchain and robotics fields

“Artificial intelligence – deep learning” is the most lucrative gig economy field, paying more than $115 per hour, according to research from FitSmallBusiness.com.

FitSmallBusiness.com, an online publication targeting small-business owners, analyzed publicly available data from sources...

Lyft’s revenue exceeds $1 billion in 2017 (Recode)

Human cloud ride-sharing firm Lyft said it passed $1 billion in revenue in 2017, Recode reported. The company also said its revenue grew 168% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2017, which is almost three times faster than competitor Uber’s reported 61% growth.

Staffing exec must pay more than $500,000 in workers’ comp fraud case

The head of a Modesto, Calif., temporary staffing firm was convicted of felony workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud, Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager announced.

Aileen Ramirez, age 31, of Denair, Calif., was the owner and CEO of Quality Employment Services LLC. She obtained...