National Federation of Independent Business (09/15/21)

Half of small business owners say that supply chain disruptions have a significant impact on their business, up from 32% two months ago, according to a survey of 586 owners by the National Federation of Independent Business. Over one-quarter (27%) of small employers are currently experiencing a significant staffing shortage and another 18% are currently experiencing a moderate staffing shortage. About half (49%) of small employers are receiving fewer job applications for their open jobs than they received one month ago, and 36% are receiving about the same amount.

Seventy-seven percent of owners reported increasing wages, 17% increased paid time off, 16% offered or enhanced hiring bonuses, 18% offered or enhanced referral bonuses, and 21% offered or enhanced health insurance benefits. Forty-one percent of owners are offering more hours to part-time employees and 64% are offering overtime to full-time employees. About one-quarter (26%) of owners are asking employees if they are vaccinated, up from 19% two months ago, although 83% of small employers have no vaccine requirement or have not considered requiring employee vaccination.