"Good People - Good Jobs"©

EGW Personnel Staffing recognizes PHR achievement

EGW Personnel Staffing acknowledges Kathleen Pascucci, Corporate HR Manager/ Safety Specialist, who has successfully achieved the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

HRCI is the international licensing body for the Human Resource profession and the only credentialing certification recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR association.

Individuals who achieve HRCI certification must demonstrate their proficiency in HR competencies, including: Business Management and Strategy, Workforce Planning and Employment, HR Development, Compensation/Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, and Risk Management.

By earning this PHR designation, Kathleen joins a select group of distinguished HR professionals who have demonstrated their understanding and application of the HR body of knowledge in their organizations. Kathleen also serves on the board for the local SHRM chapter and also partners with the DOL on their program initiatives offered to local employers. EGW looks forward to offering this knowledge to our internal staff and meeting the diverse needs of our clients.

Jobs Up Over Month, Flat Over Year

Staffing employment rose by 0.8 percent in December from November but was unchanged compared to December 2010, according to the American Staffing Association’s staffing index released Wednesday.

The index for December stands at 93, up from 92 in November.

Staffing employment has been modestly edging up since February with the exception of a typical dip during the July 4 holiday period, according to the ASA.

Staffing Employment Shows Steady Growth in Third Quarter

Staffing employment increased 2.4% from the second to the third quarter of this year, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association.

U.S. staffing firms employed an average of 2.82 million temporary and contract workers per day from July through September—5.2% more workers than in the third quarter of 2010. This is the seventh consecutive quarter of year-to-year staffing employment growth since the industry began its recovery from the 2007–09 recession.
"The increase in staffing employment in the third quarter is a positive indicator that the economy is still in an expansion mode," says Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. "However, given the unevenness of the recovery over the past year, businesses remain cautious about adding back too many permanent workers too soon. Many are increasing their use of flexible staffing solutions as they experience upticks in demand for their goods and services."

Temporary and contract staffing sales also showed solid gains in the third quarter, totaling $25.2 billion, an increase of 4.2% over what was reported for the second quarter of this year. In a year-to-year comparison, sales in the third quarter were 9.0% higher than during the same period in 2010.

These figures are based on the quarterly ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey, which has been newly benchmarked to recently released employment services data from the 2007 U.S. Census of Business. Data series have been adjusted back to 1990, when ASA began estimating the size of staffing industry employment and sales. The ASA Staffing Index, an employment metric based on a weekly survey benchmarked to the census, has also been revised.

Good news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Seasonally adjusted employment data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that staffing firms added 15,000 new jobs (0.7%) from September to October. In a year-to-year comparison, temporary help employment for the month was 7.9% higher than October 2010.

"The October BLS report underscores the critical importance of the current jobs debate in Washington and the need to jump-start the economy overall," says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. "ASA members report that businesses say lack of demand is holding back hiring. Until demand picks up, businesses will continue to rely on their existing permanent work forces and flexible staffing."

Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, indicated that the staffing industry added jobs, with temporary help firms employing approximately 68,900 additional people (2.9%) from September to October. On a year-to-year basis, there were 7.3% more staffing employees in October compared with the same month in 2010.

BLS also provides employment estimates for search and placement firms, but those are nonseasonal only, and reports lag one month. Friday, BLS reported that search and placement employment in September was up 1.2% from August, totaling 258,200 for the month. In a year-to-year comparison, September employment was up 7.9% from the same month in 2010, continuing the trend of year-to-year employment growth in search and placement that began in February 2010. Since then, search and placement firms have added 35,500 jobs.

Expected Staffing Industry Growth

Did you know that the U.S. staffing industry is expected to grow faster and add more new jobs over the next several years than just about any other industry? According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the employment services industry—which is primarily staffing—will be the ninth largest job-growth industry in the U.S. from 2008 through 2018.

2011′s most unusual excuses for missing work:

I thought we could use a laugh,some of these are classic:

“My 12-year-old daughter stole my car and I had no other way to work. I didn’t want to report it to the police.”

“Bats got in my hair.”

“A refrigerator fell on me.”

“I was in line at a coffee shop when a truck carrying flour backed up and dumped the flour into my convertible.”

“A deer bit me during hunting season.”

“I ate too much at a party.”

“I fell out of bed and broke my nose.”

“I got a cold from a puppy.”

“My child stuck a mint up his nose and we had to go to the ER to remove it.”

“I hurt my back chasing a beaver.”

“I got my toe caught in a vent cover.”

“I had a headache after going to too many garage sales.”

“My brother-in-law was kidnapped by a drug cartel while in Mexico.”

“I drank anti-freeze by mistake and had to go to the hospital.”

“I was at a bowling alley and a bucket filled with water (due to a leak) crashed through the ceiling and hit me on the head.”

Good News from the BLS: Staffing Jobs Up in September

Seasonally adjusted employment data, released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicated that staffing firms added 19,400 new jobs (0.9%) from August to September. In a year-to-year comparison, temporary help employment for the month was 8.4% higher than September 2010.

"While job seekers are still facing some very strong headwinds, it's encouraging to see that job growth is continuing across several key sectors," says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. "However, until we see more robust and sustained economic growth in the U.S. and globally, businesses will continue to put a high premium on flexibility and will be hesitant to add significant numbers of permanent workers."

Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, indicated that the staffing industry added jobs, with temporary help firms employing approximately 56,500 additional people (2.5%) from August to September. On a year-to-year basis, there were 7.8% more staffing employees in September compared with the same month in 2010. The ASA Staffing Index, which also is not seasonally adjusted and therefore is comparable to the nonadjusted employment figures reported by BLS, indicated a 3.4% increase in staffing payrolls sequentially (from August to September); in a year-to-year comparison, the index shows staffing employment is 1.2% lower than in September 2010.

BLS also provides employment estimates for search and placement firms, but those are nonseasonal only, and reports lag one month. Friday, BLS reported that search and placement employment in August was up 0.2% from July, totaling 255,100 for the month. In a year-to-year comparison, August employment was up 5.7% from the same month in 2010, continuing the trend of year-to-year employment growth in search and placement that began in February 2010. Since then, search and placement firms have added 32,400 jobs.

U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 103,000 jobs in September, largely bolstered by the return of 45,000 telecommunications workers following a strike in August. Since April, on average, 72,000 jobs have been added to the economy each month—compared with the average of 161,000 jobs added monthly during the prior seven months.

In September, new jobs were mostly concentrated in professional services, health care, and construction. Government employment continued to decline. The overall unemployment rate remained at 9.1%.

EGW Personnel Staffing announces newly certified employees

Buffalo, NY- September 16, 2011- EGW Personnel Staffing has announced that several of their employees have achieved their Certified Staffing Professional (CSP) designation from the American Staffing Association.

The CSP program offers a professional accreditation through completion of an in-depth, self study course and exam of federal and state labor and employment law principles.

EGW is a member of the American Staffing Association (ASA), which represents the U.S. staffing industry. ASA serves staffing firms across all sectors through legal and legislative advocacy, education, and promotion of high standards of ethical and professional practices.

EGW is proud to announce the following employees who have received their CSP designation:

Tom Wach, Jeff Wach, Michelle Madigan, Kathy Urbanski, Paul Monkelban, Kathleen Pascucci, Kerry Ryan, Nancy Deuser, Russ Western, Jonathan Goldberg, and Nicole Catizone.

For more information about CSP certification visit the program’s Web site at americanstaffing.net.

Contact:
Kathleen Pascucci
HR Manager/ Safety Specialist
EGW Personnel Staffing
(716) 822-6166
kpascucci@egwpersonnel.com

EGW’s expansion provides more room, comfort and privacy

Press release from The Arcade Herald

Arcade’s branch of EGW Personnel Staffing has expanded with now double the square footage, allowing both job seekers and companies in search of staffers a more spacious office, but with more privacy to discuss business.

This, says Branch Manager Berni Griswold, has been a boon in that there is now a more formal area for those prospective companies who wish to discuss their requirements and steps EGW can take in providing the perfect candidate to fulfill them. Known for providing contract, temp-to-hire and direct hire services, EGW handles both professional (engineering, accounting, IT, administrative, management) and industrial (manufacture, production, drivers, skilled trades) positions.

“We really needed to expand,” Berni says adding that the increase in space is beneficial for job seekers as well. In the newly decorated office, “people who are in looking for a job will feel that they’re not so ‘out in the open.’”

With the departure of a transport company situated directly next to EGW, the personnel business moved over and, with Berni’s decorating expertise, EGW has an additional business office designed for comfort and privacy.

While the Arcade branch of EGW has been around for 20 years, its Main Street location – between the Arcade Hotel and Food King Restaurant - has been there for approximately three years.

“This is a great location in that we are more centralized. We get a lot of walk-ins and foot traffic,” Berni says.

With regard to the companies EGW works with (most local), “They are great to work with; they are reliable, good companies.”

A passionate advocate for the working class, Berni says her job at EGW is in her blood. “It is my passion.” In particular, she says, it’s the young people – those right out of high school – that she wants to support by not only helping them find jobs, but also helping them obtain some of the basic skills they need to find and hold a job, “and achieve their own American Dream.”

EGW Personnel Staffing Earns WRC Certification

Buffalo, NY- August 30, 2011- EGW Personnel Staffing has announced that they have been approved to continue their Workers’ Compensation Risk Certification (WRC).

The WRC program recognizes staffing companies who operate at the highest level in regards to safety and risk management. The goal of the WRC program is to implement risk management tools and reduce workplace injuries and increase worker safety and offer the highest level of service to clients.

Since 2007, EGW has been the only staffing firm in Western New York to hold this certification. EGW is dedicated to employee safety and will continue to strive to maintain a best-in-class risk management program for all employees.

To be awarded this certification, a company must undergo a thorough review of their operational practices as they apply to hiring and screening, substance abuse, talent matching, employee orientation, client safety evaluations and partnerships, incident investigations and corrective measures, and return-to-work programs. The results are compared against a system of best practices developed by an advisory council of insurance carriers, insurance brokers, and staffing industry risk managers.

For more information about WRC certification visit the program’s Web site at staffingWRCs.com.

Contact:
Kathleen Pascucci
Safety Specialist
EGW Personnel Staffing
(716) 822-6166
kpascucci@egwpersonnel.com