Introduction: A Vital Workforce That Supports the Economy

Every day, staffing businesses send three million employees to work in America's offices, factories, hospitals, warehouses, and other work sites! Virtually every place that people work, staffing employees are on the job.

The staffing industry, comprised of more than 20,000 staffing firms and 16 million staffing employees, contributes nearly $136 billion to the U.S. economy through temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and permanent placement, outsourcing and outplacement, and human resource consulting.

Staffing is an essential industry that provides vital flexibility and support to businesses, and opportunities and flexibility for employees.Companies depend on staffing employees to get through busy seasons and to support major projects, new clients, and business growth. The flexibility staffing provides gives companies a competitive edge in matching resources and payroll to the needs at hand. More and more, companies are placing an increased premium on a more flexible and agile workforce and staffing plays a vital role in that strategy.

For employees, staffing offers a number of compelling benefits. At the top of that list is a bridge to permanent jobs?nearly nine out of 10 staffing employees say that temporary or contract work makes them more employable. One-half say it's a way to get a permanent job. One-third of temporary and contract employees were offered permanent positions by clients where they worked on assignments?two-thirds of those accepted the offers of employment.

Time has shown that staffing isn't just good for our economy; it is an essential industry that provides vital flexibility and support to businesses, and opportunities and flexibility for employees. And as the economy continues to evolve, with information and connectivity coming to dominate its core, the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry is prepared to provide the vital support businesses need to grow and prosper.