The Job Creators Network recently reported the results of a national survey conducted of small business for the month of December 2021.
According to the report, inflation is the most concerning issue, in addition to the economy, COVID-19, operating costs, supply chain and taxes. Employers generally believe that Biden's Build Back Better program will increase inflation.
"Inflation is still the biggest issue on small business owner’s minds with 37% saying it’s their biggest or second biggest concern," according to the report. "Seventy percent of small businesses say the Biden administration isn’t doing enough to fight inflation and 64% of them think the Build Back Better plan would increase inflation. What this means: The effects of inflation are not imaginary. Democrats’ massive spending plans that will require the printing of more money will only increase inflation in the minds of small business owners."
Small business employers answered that they fear COVID-19 masking mandates will negatively impact their businesses. Employers believe mandates will cause them to have difficulty retaining employees, through employees quitting or being fired for refusing to follow mask requirements. They also report that they believe they will have difficulty finding new hires because of the mandates.
"Only 18% of small business owners think the employer-enforced vaccine mandate will help small businesses," according to the report. "What this means: While we all want an end to the COVID nightmare, small businesses aren’t convinced that employer-enforced mandates are the way to get there."
Small business owners also reported that they worry that Biden's tax increases will harm their businesses and are not optimistic about the future of the U.S. economy.
"Forty-seven percent of small business owners think the U.S. economy is going in a worse direction compared to only 32% who say it’s going in a better direction," according to the report. "While the administration likes to claim they have overwhelming support for their tax increases, vaccine mandates and spending plans, small businesses don’t think they will help them."
The December 2021 national survey of more than 500 small business employers was conducted by John McLaughlin and Scott Rasmussen. The sample of over 500 small businesses represents the population of U.S. small business employers. The survey report has an accuracy of +/- 4% at a 95% confidence level.
Job Creators Network is a nonpartisan organization with a mission to educate employers and employees about government policies that affect small businesses.