As the staffing industry goes, so goes the economy. Some economists believe the temp industry is a bellwether of the nation’s economic health. So it’s not surprising that the latest report from the American Staffing Association shows slowing demand for temps in a slow economy.
The group’s latest weekly index slipped back to 100 for April 7 through 13, from the 101 reading the previous week. And demand has been that flat since January, the Alexandria, Va.-based group said yesterday. At the end of last year the index had risen to as high as 110.
While the temporary employment situation may look bleak nationally, Long Island appears to be holding its own, says Dana Terzian, a direct placement recruiter for Adecco, whose North American headquarters is in Melville.
“We are not seeing as deep a decrease in the job market [here] as in other areas of the country,” Terzian said.
She said that the demand for employees remains strong in engineering, health care, information technology, education and accounting.
But Adecco has experienced slowing demand for employees in manufacturing and construction, reflecting, she said, a slowdown in consumer spending and the subprime mortgage mess.
--Carrie Mason-Draffen