ASA Staffing Index, NRA Restaurant Index Flat

The American Staffing Association (ASA) Staffing Index for temporary and contract employment activity remained at 95 for the week of August 16 (same as last week), which is the highest index level since a reading of 97 in the week of September 29, 2008 (see chart above, data here).

Compared to the same week last year, the latest ASA Staffing Index has improved by 25% for Week 34 (see bottom chart above). This marks the 18th week in a row with percentage gains above 20% compared to the same month in 2009, the 27th straight week of double-digit percent increases vs. 2009, and the 33rd consecutive week for the ASA Index being above the same level in the previous year (every week this year). The improvements this year follow 80 consecutive weeks of percentage declines in the weekly index vs. the previous year that started in May 2008 and continued through the end of 2009.

In another report released yesterday, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index was flat in July (99.4) compared to June (99.5), but above the index levels in July of 2008 and July 2009.