On April 23, by a 3-to-2 vote, the Federal Trade Commission approved publication of its final rule banning post-termination worker noncompete agreements nationwide. If this rule survives the inevitable court challenges, it could seriously damage staffing firms, virtually all of which use such agreements. The rule contains limited exemptions for noncompetes that are incident to the sale of a business or that were violated before the Rule’s effective date of Aug. 24. The Bad News The rule bans all new “geographic” noncompetes, which forbid competition by a former worker in a defined territory fo ..read more

What happens when a compliance issue strikes your staffing firm? In moments like these, the difference between a minor hiccup and a full-blown crisis often boils down to one thing: the strength of your incident response plan. For firms navigating the web of regulatory requirements, being prepared for compliance hurdles is crucial not only for legal adherence but also for maintaining robust client relationships and safeguarding reputation. Understanding the Bedrock of Compliance in the Staffing Industry At its core, regulatory compliance for staffing firms involves adhering to a broad range of ..read more

With over two decades of experience in the staffing industry, I’ve witnessed the market’s ebbs and flows countless times. There are seasons of dynamic growth, where the dance of supply and demand keeps recruiters on their toes. Yet, inevitably, there are also periods of softness, where hiring slows or comes to a halt altogether. While these downturns may incite anxiety, it’s crucial for staffing professionals to remember a fundamental truth: Staffing is historically the first industry to rebound when the market turns upward. So, preparation is key. This isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a demonstrate ..read more

Most people have heard the word “sustainability” when it comes to the shared responsibility we all have to reduce our carbon footprint or make smarter eco-friendly choices. However, sustainability also represents an important shift in how many organizations approach business leadership. The concept of sustainable leadership represents a company mindset in which many, if not all, of the decisions made are based on social, environmental and economic factors. Instead of being driven solely by their own best interests, these decisions are primarily focused on creating positive changes for our plan ..read more

The workforce management landscape is undergoing another major shift. The US Department of Labor’s final rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act on independent contractor classification went into effect on March 11, 2024 — proving everything that’s old is new again. The “new” classification rule will restore the multifactor analysis used by courts for decades, ensuring all relevant factors are analyzed to determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. The rule addresses seven factors that guide the analysis of a worker’s relationship with a company, including any opportun ..read more

At a time rife with ongoing talent shortages and low unemployment, we’re seeing that it’s more crucial than ever to balance the two cornerstones of recruitment — quality and speed — when sourcing candidates. Many of us naturally lean towards one camp or the other — some are adept at swiftly identifying candidates, while others excel at meticulously vetting applicants to ensure a perfect fit for each client’s needs. But in today’s fiercely competitive candidate market, we can’t afford to focus only on quality or speed — both are essential, and both have to be addressed with equal weight and pri ..read more

Unbelievable as it may seem, the oldest members of Gen Z are already entering the workforce. That means there is a generation coming after them that isn’t in the workforce yet — but will be soon. Members of Gen Alpha are born in 2010 or later. Most are still in elementary or middle school. While it might seem like it’s jumping the gun — and even rather dystopian — to think of this generation as “future workers,” the fact remains: It won’t be long before the oldest members of Gen Alpha are entering the working world. And if there’s one thing we can all agree on in staffing and recruiting, it’s ..read more

In a general election year that kicked off with a recession (albeit a seemingly short and shallow one), staffing businesses are understandably looking for not only stability, but also growth opportunities. This requires a strong economy which, for the professional recruitment sector, also necessitates fair employment regulation in the UK, something that hasn’t yet been delivered in my view. There may be current speculation of a Labour win, but we all know that curve balls can be thrown at us at any time and from any direction. For that reason, our policy team has been highly active in engaging ..read more

It’s probably no great surprise that remote work is the new normal for a majority of internal staffing personnel. More than half, 56%, work remotely three or more days per week, according to data shared by SIA Chief Analyst Barry Asin during Executive Summit North America, which is being held this week in Las Vegas. In addition, 45% of internal workers are remote all five days per week. I got the opportunity today to sit down with Kyle Morey-Leber, chief strategy officer at healthcare staffing firm Lucid Solutions, and learn more about his views of the pros of remote work — the ability to hire ..read more

It’s no secret that employers across the globe are facing significant skills shortages. A growing gap between supply and demand of STEM experts in particular is hitting every sector. Across the defense remit the impact of this dearth of resources has been particularly noted, with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) highlighting in a report last summer that action is urgently needed to recruit and retain defense workers. While there is no easy solution to this workforce crisis, our own report, Delivering the Defence Workforce of the Future, revealed a number of interesting insights that will work for ..read more