FEATURE/Westaff Announces ''Most Essential'' Temporary Employee of 1998; Honolulu Employee Chosen as National Winner.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Dec. 29, 1998-- Less than six months ago, Rafaella Reynolds unsuccessfully tried to reenter the workforce after spending five years at home raising her children. Turned away from several interviews because she lacked recent on-the-job experience, she almost gave up trying to find a job.

"I did not feel I was employable," says Reynolds. Today, Reynolds is not only the front office secretary at a historic five-star hotel in Honolulu, she is Westaff, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: WSTF) "Most Essential" temporary employee of the year.

Westaff launched the contest this year as a way to recognize its 0employees in the "essential support services sector" -- office, light industrial and light technical positions -- who do an outstanding job for the 50-year-old staffing company.

"We refer to our employees as essential because temporary employees have become an essential part of today's workplace," says Mike Phippen, Westaff president and chief operating officer. "Each day 2.7 million Americans report to temporary assignments and we believe the best, or most essential, should be recognized."

Reynolds, 37, was selected among 200,000 Westaff employees from across the nation after qualifying on a branch and regional level.

"We are very proud of Rafaella Reynolds, who according to one of the hotel's directors has excelled to become the best secretary they've had in 15 years," Phippen says. "Rafaella was hired by Westaff for her enthusiasm, energy and desire to work. Just because she hadn't worked outside of her home in five years doesn't mean there isn't a place for her in the workplace. She has proven that."

The national winner has recently been offered a temporary-to-hire position with the hotel. "Due to the support of the Westaff team, I am finding my way back into the workforce and building my career back," says Reynolds, who has been awarded a weekend trip to San Francisco and a visit to Westaff's international headquarters.

Westaff, formerly Western Staff Services, supplies an essential support workforce to meet the demands of highly competitive business in ever-changing global markets, annually employing more than 200,000 people specializing in office, light industrial and light technical services. Westaff services its customers through a network of more than 400 company-owned, franchise and licensed offices in the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.