NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In November, 40% (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period.
"The labor market remains a frustrating challenge for small business owners," said Dan Murray with NFIB Kansas. "For many small businesses, there aren't enough workers to maintain current operations, much less grow and expand. There is a slight decline in November, but we're still stuck in historical territory."
The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem remains elevated at 24%.
"There certainly is some seasonal distraction by small business owners, particularly those in the retail and restaurant industry, where they're dealing with elevated interaction with consumers," Murray said. "That's part of it. We are just seeing a lack of qualified applicants applying for open positions elevated in the skilled areas over unskilled workers."
Twenty-six percent of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 24% reported none.
"Certainly, compensation is on the rise to attract new employees," Murray said. "People do, fortunately, have the ability to be more selective. Unfortunately, small business owners are having a hard time, continually, filling those positions."
Seasonally adjusted, a net 36% of owners reported raising compensation, unchanged from last month. A net 30% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up six points from October.
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