The National Federation of Independent Business small business optimism index increased 1.3 points in December to 91.9, marking the 24th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. Twenty-three percent of small business owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem…
National Association of Manufacturers’ Outlook: Fourth Quarter 2023
The National Association of Manufacturers’ manufacturing outlook index measured 44.1 in the fourth quarter of 2023, up from 43.3 in the third quarter of 2023. Six in 10 (66.2%) manufacturers were either somewhat or very positive about their company’s outlook, edging up slightly from 65.1% in the…
Health Care Provider Insights to Inform Workforce Success in 2024
Cross Country Healthcare has released a new report, From Insight to Action: Leveraging…
Free ASA Webinar Tomorrow—Assistance for Small Businesses
Don’t miss tomorrow’s ASA webinar “How the SBAβs Office of the National Ombudsman Supports and Helps Small Companies,” 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. Learn how the U.S. Small Business Administrationβs Office of the National Ombudsman works to help small businesses that feel they are being negatively affected by federal regulations, excessive audits, and unfair penalties and…
Top Tax Policy Questions in 2024
Fiscal year 2024 spending is top of mind for federal lawmakers as they seek to avoid a looming government shutdown. The government spending bill that Congress passed in November expires Jan. 19 and Feb. 2, depending on the federal agency. The base package in a potential bipartisan tax bill is…
New Pennsylvania Legislation and Philadelphia Ordinance Amendment Tackle Pardoned Convictions, Expunged Records, and Negligent Hiring Liability
Pennsylvania House Bill 689, effective Feb. 12, will amend state law to protect employers from liability for any claim related to the impact of expunged records or the lawful use of criminal history information when an applicant voluntarily discloses an expunged conviction. The law also extends…
NFIB Jobs Report: Labor Quality Remains Top Concern for Small Business Owners
The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem remains elevated at 20%, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Labor costs reported as the single most important problem for business owners increased one point to 9%,…
Construction Firms Have Mixed Outlook for 2024
Construction contractors have a decidedly mixed outlook for 2024 as firms forecast transitions in demand for projects, the types of challenges they will face, and the technologies, including artificial intelligence, they will embrace, according to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of…
Job Cuts Fall to Second-Lowest Monthly Total of the Year in December 2023
U.S. employers announced 34,817 job cuts in December, down 24% from the 45,510 cuts announced in November, and the second-lowest monthly total in 2023 after the 23,697 job cuts announced in July, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. The December total is down 20% from the 43,651 cuts…
Find Pay Rate Benchmarks for Your Area With the Expanded Temporary Help Wage Tool
Get employment and wage estimates for more than 800 occupations nationwide, by state and by metropolitan statistical area, with a view of the temporary help services industry. The ASA Temporary Help Wage Tool has been updated and now is available as an easy-to-download Excel file. This resource can help you inform strategic decisions and support…
Home