Newsletter 08/18/26

Silver Lake may take Workday private in a $51B deal

Newsletter 08/11/26

Employment Index rebounds, but job growth remains modest

Newsletter 08/4/26 (copy)

AI is changing work faster than organizations are adapting.

Newsletter 07/28/26

AI's impact on jobs more hype than reality, while gig economy surges

Newsletter 07/21/26

AI could boost wages by simplifying tasks, labor market split deepens

Newsletter 07/14/26

Conference Board Index Signals Slower Hiring Ahead

Newsletter 05/26/26 (copy) (copy)

Healthcare's talent gap, AI at work and staffing market recovery

Newsletter 05/26/26 (copy) (copy)

US labor market tightens, pay growth & AI hiring reality

Newsletter 05/19/26 (copy)

Newsletter 06/02/26 (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

New global treaty protects gig workers, but AI fuels worker anxiety.

Newsletter 06/02/26 (copy) (copy) (copy)

May job cuts jump 16%; small-employer hiring remains weak

ASA Staffing Index: Flat Monthly Read Masks Underlying Growth

**The big picture:** The American Staffing Association (ASA) Staffing Index closed May at 88, appearing flat for the month, yet it shows a significant 4.6% year-over-year increase through mid-May. This data serves as the most immediate labor market signal ahead of the upcoming BLS report. **Why it matters:** For staffing and talent leaders, this "flat is not neutral" scenario indicates a stable but growing demand environment, requiring a nuanced understanding of market dynamics beyond simple monthly fluctuations. It suggests underlying resilience and continued, albeit moderate, expansion in professional services. **Between the lines:** - The ASA Staffing Index registered 88 for May, indicating no month-over-month change. - Despite monthly flatness, the index is up 4.6% year-over-year as of May 17. - The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May Employment Situation report is anticipated on June 5. **Staffing & HR impact:** Staffing firms should leverage this market intelligence to refine forecasting and resource allocation, recognizing that sustained year-over-year growth supports recruiter mobility and margin stability. HR leaders can anticipate continued demand for professional services talent, influencing talent acquisition strategies. **The bottom line:** Expect a steady, not stagnant, professional services market, with the BLS report offering further clarity next week.

Newsletter 06/02/26 (copy) (copy)

AI's impact on jobs, staffing, and the rise of side-hustle careers.

Newsletter 05/26/26 (copy)

AI drives tech layoffs as temp work and skilled trades surge.

Newsletter 05/19/26

Understand AI's real impact on jobs and the gig economy's legal challenges.

Newsletter 05/12/26

AI adoption is reshaping work, but are companies cutting staff effectively?

Economic Indicators Show Stable Four-Week Trend Despite Weekly Dip

**The big picture:** Recent economic indicators reveal a slight weekly dip, but the overall four-week trend remains stable, suggesting underlying market resilience. **Why it matters:** Staffing firms and HR leaders need to look beyond weekly fluctuations to understand broader labor market stability and make informed strategic decisions. **Between the lines:** - The weekly reading experienced a minor decrease. - A 4.7% four-week lift is highlighted as more significant than the 5.09% weekly noise. **Staffing & HR impact:** This stability can influence hiring confidence and talent acquisition strategies, potentially impacting recruiter mobility and gross margins as firms adjust to consistent, albeit slow, growth. HR departments should monitor these trends for workforce planning. **The bottom line:** Focus on the rolling signal, not just the weekly noise, for a true read on labor market health.

Newsletter 05/05/26

See how AI is reshaping jobs and what it means for your workforce.

Newsletter 04/27/26

See how AI is reshaping jobs and what it means for your workforce.

Newsletter 04/15/26

See how AI is reshaping jobs and what it means for your workforce.