Staffing Issues

Central Illinois will join staffing companies across the country and the American Staffing Association (ASA) in celebrating National Staffing Employee Week (NSEW), September 22 to 28. NSEW is a nationwide campaign designed to honor the contributions of the stars of our nation’s workforce: America’s temporary and contract employees.

ASA says some 2 million Americans are employed by staffing companies every day, in virtually all occupations ranging from custodians to CEOs. They also estimate 90 percent of companies use staffing services, relying on this flexible labor force to keep fully staffed during busy times.

The temporary and contract employment industry presents an ideal work solution for both job seekers and the companies that seek them. ASA cites the statistics below when relating these opportunities and benefits that temporary and contract employment offers:

• Jobs. The staffing industry matches millions of people to millions of jobs. One million new jobs have been created by staffing companies over the past eight years, and 79 percent of temporary employees work full time.
  
  
• Flexibility. The staffing industry offers flexibility to both employees and companies. People can choose when, where, and how they want to work. Companies get the skills they need to keep fully staffed during busy times. Sixty-four percent of temporary employees say flexible work time is important to them. Twenty-eight percent of temporary employees say they work for a staffing company because it gives them the flexibility and time to pursue non-work interests. Eighty-one percent of companies cite labor force flexibility as the reason for employing contingent workers.
  
  
• Bridge. Temporary and contract work provides a bridge to permanent employment. People can try out a prospective employer and showcase their skills for a permanent job. Seventy-two percent of temporary employees obtain permanent jobs while working for a staffing company. Forty percent of assigned employees are looking for their first permanent job or are reentering the job market.
  
  
• Choice. Many people choose temporary and contract work as an employment option. They can select their work schedules and choose among a variety of challenging assignments. Forty-five percent of temporary employees prefer the alternative arrangement over traditional employment, and 43 percent of temporary employees say needing time for family is an important factor in their job decisions. Twenty-nine percent of temporary employees say they work for a staffing company because they like the diversity and challenge of different jobs. 
  
  
• Training. The staffing industry provides free training for millions of temporary and contract employees to help meet today’s demand for skilled workers. Ninety percent of staffing companies provide free training to their temporary employees, and 70 percent of temporary employees say they gained new skills through their assignments. Approximately 4.8 million temporary employees received skills training worth $720 million in 1997.

Finally, contrary to popular belief, staffing services offer highly competitive wages and benefits. Most staffing companies offer health insurance, as well as vacation and holiday pay, and many offer retirement plans. Virtually any temporary or contract employee who wants benefits can find a staffing firm that offers them.

So, congratulations to these important and talented people who contribute to and are a significant part of the American workforce. IBI