Jobless claims average up by 9,000, initial claims hit highest level in more than three months

The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 250,750 last week, up 9,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor.

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

InGenesis acquires Kelly Service’s healthcare specialty business

InGenesis Inc., a San Antonio-based healthcare staffing firm, acquired Kelly Healthcare Resources, the healthcare specialty business of Kelly Services (NASD: KELYA).

“We are thrilled with this acquisition as it blends the storied tenure of Kelly’s healthcare business with our focused innovation,”...

Staffing firm PageGroup reports Q4 gross profit up 13.8% across most geographies

UK-based staffing firm PageGroup reported fourth-quarter gross profit rose 13.8% in constant currency in a trading update in advance of full fourth-quarter results scheduled for release in March. PageGroup noted gross profit rose across all regions, except for the UK. However, the firm reported particularly...

IT staffing provider TSR revenue up 10% in fiscal second quarter

Net revenue rose 9.8% at IT staffing provider TSR Inc. (NASD: TSRI) in its fiscal second quarter ended Nov. 30. The Hauppauge, NY-based company said the average number of consultants on billing with customers increased to 391 in the quarter from 368 in the year-ago quarter.

Massachusetts staffing firm operator sentenced to prison for tax crimes, insurance fraud

The operator of temporary employment agencies providing labor for Massachusetts companies in agricultural industries was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for tax crimes and insurance fraud, the US Attorney’s Office reported. Souleang Kane — who operated a series of temporary employment agencies...

Uber agrees to pay New York state drivers up to $3 million over alleged excess fees (Reuters)

A settlement agreement was reached by Uber to pay up to $3 million to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of 2,241 drivers in the state of New York who accused the human cloud, ride-sharing firm of excessive fees, Reuters reported. Uber denied the allegations and settled without admitting wrongdoing....

Immigration agency says rumored change to H-1B visas not happening (TechCrunch)

TechCrunch reported US Citizenship and Immigration Services says no policy change is underway that would end extensions of H-1B visas for those applying for green cards. The rumored change would have impacted tech workers in the US. H-1B visas are used by companies, including staffing firms, to bring...

US employers’ hiring plans for temps in 2018 match last year’s intentions, survey finds

More than half of US employers plan to hire temporary workers in 2018 as companies work to maintain flexibility in their workforces and test drive candidates for permanent roles, according to CareerBuilder’s job forecast for 2018. The forecast’s survey found 51% of employers plan to hire temporary...

Association of Executive Search Consultants names 2018 leadership and new board members

The Association of Executive Search Consultants announced Monday that Paul Benson will serve as board chair this year while Morten Nielsen will serve as vice chair and Ineke Arts will serve as secretary and treasurer.

Benson is regional market leader, Europe Middle East & Africa, Global Industrial...

Robert Half Accountemps survey finds 38% say winter weather negatively impacts mood

Much of the US entered the new year facing below-freezing temperatures, feet of snow and even ice storms. And the harsh winter weather can lead to the “winter workplace blues” for affected workplaces, according to a survey of more than 2,700 US workers by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International...