Adecco Celebrates National Temporary Help Week, October 2-8.

Business Editors

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2000

Adecco joins staffing companies across the country in celebrating the 15th year of National Temporary Help Week, October 2-8.

This week was created to pay tribute to an increasingly important segment of the American workforce: the nation's temporary employees.

Each day, some three million Americans report to work for a temporary assignment with a staffing company, according to the American Staffing Association (ASA). "National Temporary Help Week is a salute to the temporary employees who actively contribute to the American economy," said Stephanie O'Toole, Branch Manager. More and more Americans, many of whom are seeking their first job or re-entering the workforce, are attracted to the benefits of assigned employment:

-- Jobs: Staffing companies match millions of people to millions of jobs, from
secretaries and machine operators to graphic designers and accountants. In
fact, the fastest growing sectors in temporary staffing are in professional and
technical fields. And staffing companies have found that in today's tight labor
market, it is essential to offer highly competitive wages and benefits to
attract the most qualified workers.

-- Flexibility: The staffing industry offers flexibility to both employees and
companies. Although most temporary jobs are full time, people can choose when,
where, and how they want to work. Companies can access the skills they need to
keep fully staffed during the busy times. Nearly two-thirds of assigned
employees say flexible work time is important to them. Another third say they
work for a staffing company because it gives them the flexibility and time to
pursue non-work interests.

-- Transitional Bridge: Temporary work can provide a bridge to permanent
employment. People can try out a prospective employer, explore a new field, or
showcase their skills for a permanent job. More than seven in 10 temporary
employees go on to permanent jobs after their assigned positions end.

-- Choice: Many people choose temporary work as a career option. More than
one-third of assigned employees prefer the alternative arrangement over
traditional employment. They can select their work schedule and choose among a
variety of diverse and challenging assignments. Four in 10 assigned employees
say needing time for family is an important factor to them in their job
decision. In addition, Adecco and other staffing companies now extend a range
of benefits to temporary employees.

-- Training: One of the "hidden" benefits of temporary employment is training:
Nearly all staffing companies provide free training for assigned employees to
help meet today's demand for increasingly skilled workers. Seven in 10
temporary employees say they gained new skills through their assignments.

For a growing number of individuals, temporary employment represents an ideal work solution. Said O'Toole, "We're proud to be involved in an industry that provides so much benefit to people, to businesses, and to our national economy."

About Adecco

Adecco SA is the global leader in personnel services, connecting more than 600,000 temporary associates with businesses each day through a network of over 28,000 employees and over 4,500 offices in 60 countries around the world. Headquartered in Switzerland, and managed by a multinational team with expertise in markets spanning the globe, Adecco delivers an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources to corporate clients and qualified associates.

Adecco provides clients with staffing services and solutions covering all major industries as well as specific professions. The worldwide Adecco brand network focuses on global industries in transition, including automotive, banking, electronics, logistics, and telecommunications.

Adecco North America serves more than 50,000 clients a year through 2,000 points of sales and service in every state and seven Canadian provinces. With headquarters in Melville, NY, Adecco North America employs about 5,000 full-time employees and places more than 160,000 temporary associates each week.

Adecco SA is listed on The Swiss Exchange (ADECCO N (ADEN 700'939)), (NYSE: ADO), the Bourse de Paris (RM 12819). Further information can be found at www.adecco.com.