Each month, Star Staffing, a California-based staffing agency compiles new data and shares expert insights on the state of hiring in California. This labor report covers the most recent employment data from May 2024 (released in early June). Pro tip: Sign up for our mailing list to receive next month’s labor report in your inbox as soon as it’s released.   Included in this Report Takeaways from experts on this month’s trends California labor highlights (unemployment rates, industry details, etc.) Interpreting the data This month’s work culture news  Detailed Report: California unem ..read more

The hospitality industry is known for its seasonal peaks, especially during the high tourism months of summer. For the people in charge of hiring, this can be both an exciting and challenging period. Effective staffing strategies are crucial to ensure smooth operations and exceptional customer service — and for keeping your role as a hiring manager as pain-free as possible.  Here at Star Staffing, we work every year to help hospitality industry clients fill roles quickly and effectively, so we’ve learned a thing or two about navigating the busy tourism season.  Here’s our guide for e ..read more

If you’re looking to grow your business, you’re almost certainly looking at a major hiring push. But since hiring can be costly and inefficient, you might be considering a staffing firm to help you with the direct hiring process. Here are answers to the most common questions about the direct hire process.   1. What does direct hire mean? What is a direct hire position? Let’s start with some basics. Direct hire — also known as direct recruiting — is the process of using a staffing agency to fill a permanent role on behalf of an organization. A direct hire position is different from a contr ..read more

We’ve seen record heat these past few years in California, and there’s no reason to expect to get a break this coming summer. But employees who are working outdoors — like grape harvesters, vineyard managers, and mechanics — need to pay special attention to their safety. Working all day in the heat can take a serious toll on the body, and heat can lead to illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. What’s more, heat can increase on-the-job injury risks by making palms slippery from sweat, fogging up safety glasses, or bringing on dizziness.   Both employ ..read more

Summer and fall are peak tourism seasons in California, and they also mark the grape harvest season, which powers the booming wine industry. It’s a busy and exciting time in the Golden State, and the complicated choreography of the season means all hands are on deck. It’s a great time to be a job seeker, and many seasonal jobs open up during these warm months. Those job seekers looking for seasonal work for the summer, fall, or both know the advantages of short stints: flexibility, the ability to try things out, and the freedom to have a job without a long-term commitment. Seasonal work is als ..read more

Organizations use direct hire staffing agencies to optimize the hiring process from start to finish — and unlike a temp who would be employed by the staffing agency, a direct hire will be found by the staffing agency but would be employed by the organization where they work.  Direct hire roles are long term — unlike temp or contract employees — and typically include yearly salaries and benefits like healthcare and paid time off. But when organizations work with staffing agencies to lead their direct hiring efforts, the staffing agency takes on the bulk of the work. It’s a win-win for ..read more

The most common mistake organizations make in trying to recruit and hire diverse candidates is to focus entirely on the hiring process and call it a day. But to attract top talent from an array of identities, organizations should look at their culture from top to bottom, kicking the tires for instances of bias or inequity. Remember, applicants don’t simply accept roles based on their experience during the hiring process — although, that process should be inclusive, professional, and welcoming, too — they’re also basing their decision on what their lives will look like if they join the team. We ..read more

Any business owner or senior executive will tell you what’s keeping them up at night: hiring and everything that goes along with it, like staffing shortages, recruitment, and attrition. That’s why working with a staffing agency comes with many benefits — it takes the process off anxious hiring managers’ minds to free them up for other priorities and streamlines the process completely. Organizations turn to staffing agencies to outsource the hiring process from start to finish — and to leave it up to the professionals. Staffing agencies maintain deep relationships with the most qualified talent ..read more

When it comes to human resources work, the human part of the job title is critical. Human resources professionals are in the people business, and personal relationships are crucial to our success. But that doesn’t mean we can’t rely on tools to help us do our jobs better. The AI (artificial intelligence) revolution is here, and it’s in our interest as leaders to familiarize ourselves with the technology and understand how we can benefit. The bottom line is that we must chase the cutting edge if we want to be competitive. AI has tons to offer HR pros, especially regarding hiring. The ultimate g ..read more

As an HR professional, you’ve likely had at least a few difficult conversations at work. But have you ever experienced a situation where you must disagree with your boss or C-suite? If you’ve ever found yourself at that crossroads, you know the anxiety that such a conversation can create. The corporate world is a complex tapestry of personalities, power dynamics, and protocol. For Human Resources professionals, navigating this environment can be especially challenging when it involves having difficult conversations with, or even standing up to, leadership. Whether it’s about advocating for bet ..read more