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FAQs

American Staffing Association

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Frequently askedquestions about the staffing industry

How big is the industry?

The staffing industry generatedapproximately $86.2 billion insales in 2008: $70.7 billion fromtemporary and contract staffingand $15.5 billion in search and permanent placement services.

What accounts for thegrowth of the industry?

America’s work force is changingas more and more people arelooking for the flexibility that tem-porary work provides. Companiesare tapping into the flexible labormarket to keep fully staffed duringbusy times.

Do staffing firms chargeemployees a fee fortemporary assignments?

No.

How long do people hold temporary jobs?

While specific jobs may last froma few hours to several years, thebest estimates for the averagetenure of temporary and contractemployees range from three tofour months.

What types of assignmentsdo staffing companiesoffer?

Jobs range from day laborer tochief executive officer and areavailable in virtually all occupa-tions.

What are the trends in the kinds of jobs beingassigned?

The fastest growth is occurringin professional and technicaloccupations.

How many staffing companies are there in the U.S.?

There are about 6,000 firms thathave been in business a year ormore. Those companies operateapproximately 20,000 offices. ASAmember companies operate morethan 15,000 offices across thenation and account for more than85% of U.S. industry sales.

What kind of pay and benefits do temporaryand contract employeesreceive?

To attract the most qualifiedemployees, staffing services offerhighly competitive wages and ben-efits. The average temporary orcontract employee earns around$12 per hour. Some earn more thantheir permanent counterparts.

Most staffing companies offerhealth insurance as well as vaca-tion and holiday pay, and manyoffer retirement plans. Virtually anytemporary or contract employeewho wants benefits can find astaffing firm that offers them.

What kinds of services dostaffing companies provide?

Staffing companies offer a widerange of employment-relatedservices and solutions, includingtemporary and contract staffing,recruiting and permanent place-ment, outsourcing and outplace-ment, training, and humanresource consulting.

Sources: American Staffing Association,U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, StaffingIndustry Analysts, the Omnicomp Group

For more information, contact ASA at 703-253-2020 or at americanstaffing.net.