September 2, 2019, marks the 125th anniversary of Labor Day in the U.S.  Many folks recognize and celebrate the Labor Day holiday for the end-of-summer three-day weekend it offers. Many set their sights on a day of fun in the sun, planning picnics, parades, backyard BBQs, and one last trip to the lake or beach with family and friends.

With all these end-of-summer activities, the true purpose of Labor Day often gets lost in the shuffle. That purpose is this: a day to pay national tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers and their contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Here’s a quiz to test your Labor Day “true purpose” I.Q.

  1. The first U.S. celebration of Labor Day occurred on Tuesday, September 5, of what year? Where was it held?
  2. What took place during that first celebration?
  3. Which state was the first to celebrate Labor Day as a legal holiday?
  4. When did Labor Day officially become a “first Monday in September” holiday?

This month let’s not only celebrate the industriousness of the American worker but also pay tribute to the staffing industry’s role in our country’s economic growth.

Much has changed from those early days following World War II when the industry began. The pace picked up in the 70s, with companies in the staffing industry known then as ‘job shops.’ Candidates seeking jobs and working on a contractual basis were known as ‘job shoppers’ or ‘jobbers.’ “During that era, most ‘job shoppers’ were software engineers, technicians, drafters, designers, electrical, mechanical and nuclear engineers- the category was mainly technical,” notes Khushboo Kaushik.

By creating and sustaining vital connections between employees and businesses, the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry will continue to impact both sides of the staffing equation significantly.  These stats from the American Staffing Association demonstrate the magnitude of that contribution, provided by the approximately 39,000 staffing and recruiting offices representing about 20,000 staffing companies:

  • Each year, staffing companies hire nearly 17 million temporary and contract employees
  • An average week sees more than three million temporary and contract employees working for U.S. staffing companies
  • 76% work full time
  • 35% received a permanent job offer from a client for whom they worked on assignment,
  • 66% accepted the offer of continuous employment.

ASJ Partners salutes the hardworking men and women who make up the U.S. workforce, and we applaud the outstanding service the staffing industry offers to both businesses and individuals. We stand behind the efforts of this industry with our comprehensive, customized marketing plans. Give us a call today to learn how ASJ Partners can help you grow and be found more.

Labor Day trivia answers:

  1. 1882 in New York City, planned by the Central Labor Union.[1]
  2. 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to 42nd Street and then met their families in Wendel’s Elm Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches.[2]
  1. Oregon in 1887
  2. June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed the national holiday into law