The Turnover Challenge in Staffing

In 2025, staffing firms across the U.S. are facing a familiar challenge: exceptionally high turnover. The average temporary or contract employee stays on the job for just 10 weeks. That means recruiters and HR teams are constantly onboarding, offboarding, and repeating the cycle—sometimes dozens of times a week.

This constant churn does more than slow down operations—it puts compliance at risk. With every new placement comes a new Form I-9, and in high-volume environments, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. Missed deadlines, incomplete documentation, and audit risk become everyday concerns, especially for firms managing hundreds of contractors at once.



In an industry built on speed and volume, staying compliant can’t be an afterthought. The right processes—and the right tools—make all the difference.

What’s the Hidden Secret Behind High Staffing Turnover?

Turnover in the staffing industry isn’t just about job length—it often starts long before a placement is made. Many candidates drop off during the recruitment process itself, and the following data shows us why.

Slow Hiring Processes

• The number one reason candidates give up on staffing firms is that the process takes too long.
  
• Long hiring cycles are a top cause of turnover.

Credentialing and Job Fit Issues

• 1 in 3 candidates say credentialing or licensing was complicated or mishandled.
  
• Nearly 25% say poor job matching by recruiters caused them to abandon the process.

Recruiting Workflow Challenges

• Sourcing is the number one recruitment lifecycle challenge (28%), followed by screening/validation (12%).
  
• 52% of recruiters say job boards have become less effective.

Candidate Expectations Are Evolving

• 85% of Gen Z believe the job search and placement process feels outdated.
  
• 70% of U.S. adults still prefer in-person interviews despite the rise of remote work.
  
• 56% believe in-office workers have better access to raises, bonuses, and promotions.
  
• 72% of Gen Z are seeking supplemental income, compared to just 30% of Baby Boomers.



These insights make one thing clear: staffing firms need faster, more flexible hiring processes that keep candidates engaged—and that starts with simplifying compliance.

Smart Strategies for I-9 Compliance in Staffing

To keep up with fast-paced hiring and minimize risk, staffing agencies need a plan for seamless, secure I-9 management. Here are a few key strategies:

• Automate I-9 Completion: Use technology to ensure every I-9 is completed on time, with alerts and automated workflows that reduce human error.
  
  
• Centralize Training for Recruiters: With frequent internal turnover, ongoing training ensures every team member follows consistent I-9 procedures.
  
  
• Run Regular Internal Audits: Spotting and fixing issues early avoids bigger compliance headaches down the line.
  
  
• Use E-Verify When Possible: While not required everywhere, E-Verify adds another layer of security to ensure work eligibility.

• Go Digital with Storage & Retrieval: Paper forms don’t cut it anymore. Use secure digital tools that make I-9 forms easy to access and audit.

Why Staffing Firms Choose Clear I-9

Staffing never slows down—and your I-9 process shouldn’t either. Clear I-9 is built for high-volume hiring and fast-moving workflows, making it the ideal compliance partner for staffing firms.



Top Benefits of Clear I-9:

• Automated Workflows: Keep onboarding on track without manual checklists.
  
  
• Real-Time Validation: Catch and fix errors before they become compliance risks.
  
  
• Live I-9 Video Verifications: Verify remote or distributed hires with ease and compliance.
  
  
• Secure Document Storage: All your I-9s in one place—safe, searchable, and audit-ready.
  
  
• Ongoing Regulatory Updates: Stay ahead of changing rules with built-in alerts and updates.

Get Ahead of the Compliance Curve

Your recruiters are already juggling enough. Clear I-9 takes care of I-9 compliance—so you can keep talent moving, clients satisfied, and your business audit-ready.



Schedule your demo today and simplify I-9 compliance for your staffing firm.