06/19/2013
Headline News
Zycron Buys Nashville Information Technology Staffing Firm
The Tennessean (06/18/13)
Information technology services firm Zycron Inc. has bought Nashville, TN-based Computer Professionals Inc., an information technology staffing and recruiting firm.
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ManpowerGroup CEO: What's Next for the Job Market
Wall Street Journal (06/18/13) Lauren Weber
Jeffrey Joerres, chairman and chief executive of ManpowerGroup, says the tepid economy means companies that have turned to temporary workers are not yet converting them to permanent workers in large numbers. He says about 30% of temporary workers are receiving client job offers while on assignment, down from 60% to 70% in a healthier economy. Joerres believes the job market will begin to pick up steam once the impact of federal health care reform becomes clear and Europe's financial situation improves, which likely will not happen for a couple of years.
He adds that staffing firms have adapted to changes in the workplace by offering recruitment, information technology contracting, outplacement, coaching, training, and talent management services. However, as companies increasingly rely on temporary workers, Joerres says workers must learn to adapt. He says those who keep their skills fresh fare well, but those who want to stay in the same job and not broaden their horizons are more likely to become part of the long-term unemployed.
Joerres says the Affordable Care Act is "incrementally positive for us. It's not a game changer, because 100% of the cost is going to get passed through to clients. They're not laying off permanent people and moving that work to us to avoid paying workers' insurance. But I see this business coming to us when customers have their own internal temporary staff, seasonal workers, internship programs, and they don't want to deal with the issues of who's eligible, who's not, and other liabilities."
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Consumer Prices in U.S. Increased Less Than Forecast in May
Bloomberg (06/18/13) Lorraine Woellert
The cost of living in the U.S. rose less than forecast in May, restrained by the first decline in food prices in nearly four years and signaling inflation remains under control. The consumer price index rose 0.1% after declining 0.4% in April, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The median forecast of 82 economists polled by Bloomberg called for a rise of 0.2%. The core index, which excludes volatile food and fuel costs, rose 0.2% as forecasted.
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ASA for You
Free ASAPro Webinar Tomorrow—Improve Your Direct Placement Agreements
Don't miss the free ASAPro webinar "Get the Most Out of Your Direct Placement Fees and Agreements." It takes place tomorrow, June 20, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time. Attorney Mike Rode will show you how to create guaranteed and enforceable recruiting agreements with your clients in this webinar, which will expand on the key issues discussed in the 2013 Staffing Law Conference session "Direct Hire Contracts—Collecting the Fee" and the May 23 ASAPro webinar "Protecting and Collecting Your Direct Placement Fees."
Is it time to renew your ASA credential? The deadline is July 1, 2013, for individuals who earned or renewed their Certified Staffing Professional® or Technical Services CertifiedSM credential between Jan. 1, 2010, and June 30, 2010. To be eligible to renew your CSP® or TSCSM credential, you must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every three years. At least six of the 30 CE hours must pertain to employment law. Renew your credential online today to stay current and keep your competitive advantage.
ASAPro webinars are free for ASA members and qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.
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Get News for Your Business at Staffing World® 2013
Your industry peers are getting ready for Staffing World 2013, Oct. 8–10 in Orlando, FL—have you registered for the ASA annual convention and expo yet? It's the place for world-class keynote speakers, top-level networking opportunities, the largest industry expo anywhere, and dozens of education sessions—including valuable information and updates about the Affordable Care Act.
The ACA-related content scheduled for Staffing World includes "Health Care Reform—The Time Is Now," a panel discussion facilitated by ASA senior counsel Edward A. Lenz, Esq., and featuring Alden Bianchi, Esq., of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo PC, and James A. Essey, CSP, of the TemPositions Group of Cos. (chairman of the ASA legal and legislative committee). There's also "Affordable Care Act—Staffing Firm Compliance Plans," a panel discussion facilitated by ASA board member Dan Campbell, CSP, of Hire Dynamics.
And that's just a sample. Get the details and register at staffingworld.org. ASA members receive a discounted registration rate.
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Sections Sound Off: The Best Business Books
Is there a particular author or business leader who inspires you? What valuable strategies can staffing professionals cull from current business books?
Find out how your peers answered these questions in the latest issue of Staffing Success magazine. Sections Sound Off highlights answers to intriguing questions from members in six different areas of the staffing industry: health care; industrial; office–administrative; professional; search and placement; and technical, IT, and scientific.
To learn more about sector-specific resources, visit americanstaffing.net.
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Legal Watch
Reminder: California Pay Stub Requirements Effective July 1
American Staffing Association (06/19/13)
As previously reported by ASA, the California legislature has enacted special rules governing the wage and hour obligations of staffing firms. These rules are scattered throughout numerous provisions of the California Labor Code. Some of the rules governing pay stubs, California's Wage Theft Prevention Act, and personnel files became effective Jan. 1, while others take effect July 1—as of that date, staffing firms must include on each temporary employee’s pay stub the rate of pay and the total hours worked for each temporary services assignment.
To help staffing firms comply with the Jan. 1 and July 1 rules, ASA published an issue paper by Richard Simmons, a California wage and hour expert and partner with the Los Angeles law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. The issue paper is written in question and answer format and covers California's general pay stub rules, the special pay stub rules for staffing firms, the notice requirements of the Wage Theft Prevention Act, the right to copy payroll records, and the rules governing inspections and copies of personnel records.
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A Primer on 'Low-Cost' Group Health Plans
Mintz Levin Employment, Labor, and Benefits Advisory (06/18/2013) Alden Bianchi
Some employers are adopting a strategy that would minimize their costs under the Affordable Care Act. The employer makes its employees an offer of health care coverage under a "low-cost" health plan to avoid incurring a hefty penalty. Such a plan might cover just preventive care and offer a wellness benefit. Although some critics argue these plans are abusive, they in fact fit into the ACA's statutory scheme. However, such plans could still leave employers exposed to penalties.
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Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers Has Been Rising, Report Says
Washington Post (06/17/13) Brigid Schulte
According to "It Shouldn't Be a Heavy Lift: Fair Treatment for Pregnant Workers," a report released by the National Women's Law Center and A Better Balance, pregnant workers are denied accommodations such as bathroom breaks and permission to avoid heavy lifting or to sit down while on long shifts more often than workers with back or other injuries. These complaints emerge most often from women in inflexible, low-wage jobs and in traditionally male-dominated industries such as trucking, police work, and fire fighting.
Pregnancy-related claims filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have been rising for 15 years and reached 5,797 in fiscal year 2011. Pregnancy is not covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, but changes to the law in 2008 require employers to accommodate temporary disabilities, which some argue should include pregnancy. Eight states have laws in place to prevent pregnancy discrimination.
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Trends and Research
Research Reveals Anticipated Creative Hiring Through Year-End
Robert Half Technology News Release (06/18/2013)
Fifty-nine percent of advertising and marketing executives intend to hire to fill vacancies during the second half of 2013, according to research from staffing firm the Creative Group, a division of Robert Half. Some 9% intend to increase the size of their teams, 25% will implement hiring freezes, and 4% expect to reduce their staff size. A majority, 52%, say it is difficult to find creative professionals.
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Monster.com Survey Reveals Good Prognosis for Health Care Employment Outlook
Monster Worldwide Inc. News Release (06/18/13)
ASA corporate partner Monster.com has released new survey results detailing health care sector worker attitudes about employment. Health care professionals are the third most satisfied with all aspects of their job, following closely behind engineering and finance employees. The survey also indicates these workers are optimistic, with 81% of health care workers confident about finding a job within the next 12 months. Registered nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists are currently the top three occupations in demand, by volume of available jobs within the health care industry along with nursing, medical, and home health assistants in supporting roles.
One area of dissatisfaction for health care employees is compensation. The survey found that just 20% of health care professionals believe their employers are willing to provide higher compensation compared with the previous year.
