Business Insider (02/22/12)

About 22% of small-business owners expect to hire more workers this year, according to a recent Gallup–Wells Fargo poll, while just 8% plan to decrease the number of jobs in their firms. The survey shows that hiring plans have returned to levels not seen since January 2008, at the beginning of the recession. Around 26% of small-business owners are seeking full-time workers, while 36% want to hire part-time employees. Another 36% favor temporary or contract workers. Last year, only 13% of those polled increased their work force, while 22% reduced the number of jobs.

A recent Citibank small-business survey also indicates increased confidence among small firms. More than 25% of respondents plan to boost the number of permanent full-time workers this year, up 12% from January 2011, and 22% will hire full-time seasonal workers.