Ad Lacrosse Approves Concession in European Agency Work Regulation

Major HR Services Company Welcomes EU Agency Work Directive

In a significant development for the temporary staffing industry, our group, a leading global HR services company, has welcomed the compromise in the EU Agency Work Directive as a step towards realizing the growth and competitiveness objectives of the Lisbon Agenda.

With a network of over 37,000 employees (FTEs) and approximately 7,000 offices, our group connects over 700,000 associates with clients each day, delivering an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources. The company, which is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange with trading on SWX Europe (SWX: ADEN) and the Euronext Paris of Euronext (EURONEXT: ADE), is a Fortune Global 500 company and the global leader in HR services.

The company considers equal treatment a guiding principle of business conduct, but it should be adapted to local requirements within the European Union. The EU Agency Work Directive acknowledges the positive contribution of the temporary staffing industry to Europe's labor markets, providing a fair framework for temporary work and employment conditions.

The Directive is expected to lift remaining restrictions on temporary employment services, which could create at least 570,000 jobs in the agency work industry. While several EU members have already lifted specific restrictions, access is still prohibited in certain industries in Spain and Belgium. The Council's decision leaves sufficient flexibility at Member States level in adapting and/or implementing the equal treatment principle.

The temporary sector contributes to Europe's labor markets through job creation and integration in the workforce. In 2007, EuroCiett, a European association representing the temporary work industry, published a report highlighting the importance of creating more work opportunities.

It is important to note that information in this release may involve forward-looking statements regarding the future, which are based on information available as of the date of the release and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations, including global GDP trends, changes in regulation of temporary work, competition, the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified temporary personnel, the resolution of the French anti-trust procedure, and legal and tax proceedings.

For more information about our S.A., please contact the Corporate Investor Relations, Corporate Press Office, and Public Affairs departments. The contacts are provided in the article.

[1] EuroCiett-Uni Europa issued a Joint Declaration on the draft Agency Work Directive on May 28, 2008.

[2] EuroCiett published a report on creating more work opportunities in 2007.