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Articles by Jake Tiger
As US business sentiment drops, companies turn to flexible staffing, AI
US business sentiment retouched a record low in October, dropping to 6.02 on a scale of 10 in October on Principal’s quarterly Financial Well-Being Index. It was the lowest rating for the metric since April 2025. The measure fell 8% from July, when the survey was last published, weighed down by record low sentiment among small and midsize businesses, which dropped to 5.28 from 5.97 in October 2025, Principal found.
Eezy, Advtech: People on the move
Finnish staffing firm Eezy reported the business director for its staffing services operations, Jaakko Koivisto, resigned to pursue other opportunities. The company named Jukka Kallioniemi as VP responsible for all the group’s staffing services. Kallioniemi’s appointment took effect on 5 November, days after he joined Eezy as business director for staffing services in Tampere and Turku, Finland.
More US firms relying on contract workers
Demand for contract workers is on the rise as uncertainties around AI and the economy create an environment where workforce flexibility is increasingly valuable for many talent leaders and employees, a new survey found. Among US hiring managers, 43% said their company now relies on contractors more than they did three years ago, and 80% said they were more likely to hire them going forward, according to the survey from Express Employment Professionals and the Harris Poll.
Medical Solutions taps Adrian Bartella as CFO
Medical Solutions, the fifth-largest US healthcare staffing firm, named Adrian Bartella as CFO, succeeding Denise Dettingmeijer, who vacated the role in April. Bartella brings over more than a decade of CFO experience across multiple companies —most recently at physical therapy provider Upstream Rehabilitation following stints with grocery chain The Fresh Market and retail company Hudson, where he moved up from his role as VP of controlling and treasury.
Prolink promotes two executives
Workforce solutions provider Prolink promoted Jacqueline Maxwell to CFO. She succeeds Jennifer Prospero, who is now chief administrative officer, the firm announced Nov. 11. Maxwell, who has been with Prolink since 2012, moves up from her role as VP and corporate controller. She also co-leads the firm’s women in leadership program. Prospero joined Prolink as CFO in 2022 before her promotion.
74% of employers say AI will affect headcount, Payscale finds
Workforce managers are juggling team restructuring, demand for AI skills and efforts to make better use of existing employees, creating workplace challenges and disconnects over compensation and time management, according to a new report from Payscale. An August survey of 500 human resource, compensation and talent leaders and 1,000 full-time employees found that 74% of organizations expect AI to impact their headcounts and hiring plans in the next 12 months.
LaSalle Network rebrands amid AI-led shift
LaSalle Network is rebranding as LaSalle Intelligent Solutions and moving into advisory and business transformation work built around artificial intelligence. LaSalle, whose largest segments are office/clerical and IT staffing, ranks on SIA’s list of the largest staffing firms in the US. Founded in 1998, LaSalle has placed over 130,000 candidates through its staffing and recruitment services. The company says the new services will help it serve a labor market being reshaped by AI.
Temp labor rises in October; total payroll growth beats estimates
Temporary jobs rose by 18,600 in October, rebounding from a decline in September, according to data released Nov. 6 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which also revised August and September data upward.
Canadian job-changers report higher base pay
Canadian workers who changed jobs made an average of 6% more over the year while those who held onto their jobs made only 3% more, according to new research from ADP. The growth gap for gross pay was more pronounced as job changers made 10.4% more and those who stayed put saw only a 4.5% increase year over year, ADP found in its October 2026 Canada Pay Insights Report, published Nov. 5.
Barrett Business Services Q3 revenue rises 4.7% driven by PEO services
Third-quarter revenue rose 4.7% year over year to $334.1 million at Barrett Business Services (Nasdaq: BBSI), the Washington state-based professional employment organization announced Nov. 4. BBSI’s gains were driven by a 5.5% increase in PEO services revenue, which totaled $316.2 million in the quarter. Growth in the firm’s primary business made up for a loss in staffing services revenue, which slipped 7.3% to $17.9 million. Gross billings were up 3.2% over the year to $2.4 billion.
BG Staffing Q3 revenue slips 6.6% as billable hours fall
Third-quarter revenue at BG Staffing (NYSE: BGSF) fell 6.6% year over year to $25.1 million as billable hours slipped, the Dallas-based firm announced Nov. 4. Despite the loss, BGSF co-CEO and Property Management President Kelly Brown said the firm was encouraged by the implementation of new AI-enabled recruiting resources and PropTech, a new platform that helps customers optimize their property management operations.
Rep. Andy Harris wins, but is grip on First District seat loosening?
U.S. Rep Andy Harris, R-Md., secured a ninth term in Maryland’s 1st Congressional District with a double-digit margin, telling reporters at his election party that the “blue wave did not hit” the Eastern Shore.
Harris wins again — but with a weaker grip on the Eastern Shore and a shaky path forward
U.S. Rep Andy Harris, R-Md., secured a ninth term in Maryland’s 1st Congressional District with a double-digit margin, telling reporters at his election party that the “blue wave did not hit” the Eastern Shore. Unlock the rest of the article with a new subscription. Your support strengthens local journalism. Subscribe now for full access to local reporting, breaking news, and more. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love Funny Wow Sad Angry You must be logged in to rate.
but data shows a weaker grip on the Eastern Shore and a shaky path forward
U.S. Rep Andy Harris, R-Md., secured a ninth term in Maryland's 1st Congressional District with a double-digit margin, telling reporters at his election party that the "blue wave did not hit" the Eastern Shore.
Aiming to bolster direct-hire services, Masis Staffing Solutions acquires Elgen Staffing
Masis Staffing Solutions strengthened its direct-hire offerings by acquiring Cresskill, New Jersey-based Elgen Staffing, its second deal in four months, the company announced Oct. 23. Woodcrest, Massachusetts-based Masis, an industrial staffing firm founded in 2015, will expand into manufacturing and legal recruiting with the move, while Elgen, whose existing team and operations will remain in place, will expand into temporary staffing, according to a press release.
Live updates from Election Day in Maryland
It's Election Day across the country and in Maryland. Capital News Service reporters are at the polls, talking with candidates and voters, poll workers and elections officials. Follow along on this page all day and after the polls close for live updates from CNS. Follow along on Instagram & X.
Upwork Q3 revenue falls 8.0%; subsidiary acquires EOR provider WorkMotion
Third-quarter revenue fell 8.0% year over year to $185.6 million at Upwork (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s largest global talent platform. The company also announced its subsidiary Lifted acquired WorkMotion, a Berlin-based employer-of-record provider, and that CFO Erica Gessert will step down effective Jan. 1. WorkMotion will expand Lifted’s EOR and staff augmentation services to more than 30 countries. The acquisition will cost $129.7 million in cash, according to a regulatory filing.
72% of US business leaders foresee layoffs in next year
More US business leaders expect layoffs in the next 12 months as decision-makers restructure their workforces around new AI efficiencies. Overall, 72% of US business leaders forecast layoffs at their organization, according to a new severance and separation study from LHH, a division of the Adecco Group. The expectation was strongest among CEOs at 80%, while 66% of HR leaders shared this outlook, nearly doubling from 36% in 2024, the last time the study was conducted.
Workforce solutions startups raise $9.9B through September
Workforce solutions startups raised $9.9 billion globally in corporate venture capital funding through the first three quarters of 2026, the sector’s highest figure in the period since 2022, according to a new SIA report. Underlying metrics also show rising competition for cash amid heavy investments in AI infrastructure. The Venture Capital in the Workforce Solutions Ecosystem report found that while dollar figures have risen, workforce solutions’ share of venture capital funding fell.
TrueBlue, SeekOut, MeeDerby DHR Global, r.Potential: People on the move
TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI), ranked by SIA as the 18th-largest US staffing firm, appointed Elizabeth Castro Gulacsy to its board of directors, expanding the roster to 10. Castro Gulacsy has over 25 years of experience in finance, most recently as CFO and treasurer of United Parks & Resorts, formerly SeaWorld Entertainment. She also was chief accounting officer and corporate controller at Cross Country Healthcare, the 25th-largest US staffing firm.
Flock camera use expansion leads to concerns all around Maryland Original
Thousands of automated license plate reading cameras installed on poles and patrol vehicles throughout Maryland are photographing every car that passes by. The photos are converted to data – plate number, date, time, location and vehicle model – and stored in rapidly growing databases, which totaled at least 4.8 billion scans across 26 Maryland law enforcement agencies in 2025, according to a Capital News Service analysis of state reports.
DHR Global acquires Discovery Search Partners
Talent advisory firm DHR Global acquired Discovery Search Partners, which the company hopes will fuel its move looks to expand its executive search business into the life sciences industry. Chicago-based DHR will absorb Discovery Search’s customers and employees with the acquisition by 2027, DHR CEO Priya Taneja said in a note to SIA.
After a legal battle, Marylanders will vote on future redistricting in November. Here’s what to know.
The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Sept. 3 to allow a redistricting question on November’s midterm ballots, overturning two lower-court rulings and setting up a vote that could allow Democrats to redraw the boundaries of Maryland’s congressional map. As other states traded blows in a nationwide redistricting battle, Maryland failed to land a significant strike in time for the midterm election. But not for lack of trying. Even as Gov.
New SIA Global Power 150 honors female leaders from across the industry
The staffing industry’s most innovative and visionary female executives comprise SIA’s newly released Global Power 150 Women in Staffing list. The 12th annual list features honorees from leading firms worldwide, including 50 international honorees. The list recognizes senior leaders and executives whose strategic vision and decisive actions are measurably impacting their companies and the industry. It is not a ranking, but a contemporary look at some of the most influential women in staffing.
Eclipse Advantage acquires Midwest industrial staffing firm
Eclipse Advantage, a Melbourne, Florida-based staffing provider, acquired Ignite Industrial Professionals as the firm looks to expand its presence in the Midwest, the company announced Oct. 8. Ignite will operate under the Eclipse Advantage brand. “Ignite has built a strong business with great people, deep customer relationships, and an in-depth understanding of the industrial workforce,” Eclipse Advantage CEO Brian Kares said in a press release.
NOW CFO acquires Go HQ, Bright Flag Recruiting
NOW CFO, a finance and accounting firm, acquired Go HQ and Bright Flag Recruiting, aiming to strengthen its transportation and logistics business. The move, announced Sept. 29, was NOW CFO’s second takeover of the month, after a Sept. 8 deal for Formations Financial. CenterOak Partners, a Dallas private equity firm, acquired NOW CFO in June 2025.
Employers offering higher pay than planned to lure talent
Specialized skills come at a premium in today’s labor market, as many recruiters report they pay more than anticipated to land in-demand talent, a new survey from Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) found. According to Robert Half’s 2027 Salary Guide, 57% of employers said they were offering higher wages than planned to lure candidates with specialized skills. For AI expertise specifically, 72% of recruiters said they were paying more and 42% said AI fluency was more valuable than other technical skills.
Temp labor falls in September as total job growth slows
Temporary jobs fell by 10,900 in September, the largest decrease of the year, according to data released Oct. 2 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall unemployment rate rose to 4.2%. The latest report on temporary work included significant downward revisions for prior months. August’s increase was revised down to 200 from 6,800, and July’s data flipped to a decline of 10,000 from an increase of 5,200.
Unemployment down in 60% of US metro areas
Jobless rates improved steadily again in August, with most US metro areas seeing lower unemployment than a year prior, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. However, total nonfarm payroll employment remained in a holding pattern, with significant changes occurring in only a fraction of the nation. Unemployment rates declined in 234 of 387 metro areas over the year in August; they increased in 126 areas and were unchanged in 27, according to the BLS.
Data centers, retiring workers deepen 1.3 million skilled-trades shortage
The US skilled-trade workforce is short by an estimated 1.3 million workers, with the gap poised to increase as data centers, reshoring and an aging workforce increase demand, according to labor market analytics firm Lightcast. Skilled-trade workers account for 9% of the US workforce — equal to about 20 million jobs — and the industry has just over two million job openings annually, Lightcast found.
CFOs optimistic on US economy in Q3, expecting steady labor demand
US financial executives remained optimistic on the nation’s economic outlook with increased hiring and fewer challenges filling roles. The average third-quarter economic confidence rating was 60.3 on a scale of 0 to 100, according to a quarterly CFO survey conducted by the Federal Reserve banks of Richmond and Atlanta, along with Duke University.
Redistricting targeting red Eastern Shore headed to Maryland ballot Original
Jake Tiger Capital News Service Sept. 23, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET The Maryland Supreme Court has allowed a redistricting question on the November ballot. If passed, the constitutional amendment would loosen redistricting rules, potentially allowing Democrats to redraw the congressional map. The proposed changes could flip Maryland's only Republican-held House seat by splitting the Eastern Shore. The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Sept.
Marylanders will vote on future redistricting in November
MARYLAND Posted 9/22/26 By Jake Tiger Capital News Service The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Sept. 3 to allow a redistricting question on November’s midterm ballots, overturning two lower-court rulings and setting up a … Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism. Already a member? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join. E-mail Password Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Marylanders will vote on future redistricting in November
MARYLAND Posted 9/22/26 By Jake Tiger Capital News Service The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Sept. 3 to allow a redistricting question on November’s midterm ballots, overturning two lower-court rulings and setting up a … Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism. Already a member? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join. E-mail Password Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Jobless rate falls in 8 states, stable in rest of US
Month-over-month unemployment rates fell in eight states and the District of Columbia in August, while the rest of the states did not see a significant change, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%. The largest unemployment decreases were in Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania and DC, each with a 0.2% drop. Florida, Maryland, Virginia and Washington had 0.1% decreases.
After a legal battle, Marylanders will vote on future redistricting in November. Here's what to know.
The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Sept. 3 to allow a redistricting question on November's midterm ballots, overturning two lower-court rulings and setting up a vote that could allow Democrats to redraw the boundaries of Maryland's congressional map. As other states traded blows in a nationwide redistricting battle, Maryland failed to land a significant strike in time for the midterm election. But not for lack of trying. Even as Gov.
Most US Gen Z workers plan to look for a new job before the year ends
Many Gen Z professionals are ditching traditional ladder climbing for job hopping, which is now the most popular strategy for young workers looking for a salary bump or promotion, according to a survey from Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). More than half of young US professionals planned a job search this year, up from 32% last year, and 53% believed a change of scenery would lead to higher pay, according to the survey of 440 young US workers conducted in March and April.
Data center spending to double over next 2 years, SIA estimates
Workforce providers can expect a fresh upswing in industrial staffing demand from the rapidly growing data center market, which is projected to grow more than 40% through the rest of 2026 and into 2027, according to a new SIA report on data center staffing. The significant new demand for talent will drive major spending: From an estimated $4 billion in US data center staffing revenue in 2025 to a projected $8 billion to $10 billion by 2030, the report found.
Three-quarters of millennials question their careers
Millennials are burnt out and feel less secure about their jobs than any other generation, with many hoping an investment in AI skills will preserve their place in the workforce, according to a new report from Glassdoor. The survey found that 76% of millennials questioned their career paths, reporting anxieties at a higher rate than Gen Z workers. Similarly, 68% said they delayed major life milestones because of job uncertainty.
Unemployment falls in over 60% of US metro areas in July
Nearly two-thirds of US metro areas posted year-over-year unemployment rate decreases in July, and 19 areas saw significant nonfarm employment growth, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unemployment rates were lower in 241 of 387 metro areas in July compared to the same time last year, while rates increased in 128 areas and were unchanged in 18, according to the BLS.
CTI Staffing acquires PeopleSERVE, CEO pursuing ‘series’ of deals
CTI Staffing acquired tech staffing firm PeopleServe effective Aug. 21, with the firm’s CEO expecting the move to be the first in a wave of deals. “This is the first in a series of strategic acquisitions that CTI will pursue as part of our aggressive growth strategy,” CTI Staffing CEO Jason Silver said in a press release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Boston-based PeopleServe, founded in 1999, provides technology staffing and has offices dotting the East Coast.
Temp labor rises in August; total job growth beats estimates
Temporary jobs grew by 6,800 in August, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth, according to data released Sept. 4 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Temporary help employment continued its recovery in August,” SIA Economist Michael Schultz said. “This also marks the second month in a row where the preliminary estimate also provided a positive year-over-year comp.
Recruiter.com acquires AI hiring platform Feenyx
Recruiter.com, a recruiter marketplace, announced Aug. 31 it acquired Feenyx, a hiring platform that uses AI to evaluate candidates and detect fraud. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Feenyx, a Boston-based startup founded in 2018, provides candidate evaluations via AI-driven skill tests, interviews and authenticity checks. To date, the company has raised $25.3 million in funding.
Construction job openings approach 2-year high
Demand for data centers helped boost construction job openings to a near two-year high, according to new research from Associated Builders and Contractors. There were 326,000 openings on the last day of July and bacancies ticked up 28,000 over the month and 21,000 over the year, the trade association said.
Investment firm Steel Knight acquires AI recruiter TradeRunner
Investment firm Steel Knight Capital Partners acquired TradeRunner, an AI-powered recruiting platform. The move bolsters Steel Knight’s presence in the home services industry. TradeRunner, based in San Diego, uses AI to help HVAC and plumbing companies find workers. Steel Knight, which has other investments in the home services industry, was a TradeRunner customer prior to the acquisition, according to TradeRunner.
The Americas contingent workforce now worth $4.6 trillion as AI improves outlook
The contingent workforce in the Americas was valued at $4.6 trillion in 2025, unchanged from last year, but rising interest in contract work and broader staffing recovery give the industry a positive outlook, according to a new SIA report, The Americas Contingent Workforce 2026. The US accounted for $4 trillion of the overall valuation. Statement-of-work contracts were the primary source of contingent workforce revenue in the Americas at 73.3%.
Manufacturing and AI demand widen skilled-trade talent gap
Skilled-trade workers are in high demand across the US as investments in manufacturing, AI and data centers increase. The surge has created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the sector, but gains remain outsized by a talent shortage of more than 1 million employees. A new report from labor research firm Lightcast found that these industries have created and reshored a plethora of job openings for US workers, with data center growth alone accounting for 315,000 jobs over the last five years.
US consumer confidence falls for fourth consecutive month
US consumer confidence decreased in August, falling for a fourth consecutive month as Americans grew slightly more pessimistic about the economy and the labor market. The Conference Board’s confidence index fell 0.8 points to 89.4 in August, the lowest rating since 84.5 in January. The most common concerns among respondents were the war with Iran, trade policies and rising prices, particularly gas and groceries.
SpaceX’s rise could mark giant leap for space staffing
SpaceX’s largest-ever initial public stock offering has given the space industry a moment in the sun. It has curious minds wondering which possibilities once constrained to science fiction may soon be a reality. In the staffing industry, executives at firms with business linked to space think their segment may finally be ready for liftoff behind a new wave of attention and capital. Tom Kelly, CEO of Evona, leads one of the few US staffing firms focused solely on the space industry.
SIA names AI-powered finalists for CollaborationX Shark Tank-style competition
SIA announced five companies that are finalists in its 10th annual Shark Tank-style competition in which each will pitch their AI-powered staffing solution to a panel of expert judges and an audience of industry leaders.
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