Small Business Employment Data Down Again

A new report’s out, and small business owners are apparently still making more use of pink slips than "now hiring" signs.  The National Federation of Independent Business found that average employment per firm has continued to decrease.

A formal statement spilled the unhappy facts.  "Seasonally adjusted, there was a decline in average employment per firm of 0.81 workers reported during the last three months among small business owners in July.  Seven percent of owners increased employment by an average of 3.4 workers per firm, but 24 percent reduced employment an average of 4.1 workers per firm, seasonally adjusted."

Not a lot of small business owners claimed that they’re planning to create jobs, either.

This is bad news, of course, in the sense that businesses are still finding it necessary to cut corners and people are losing their livelihoods.  But, as we’ve said before, there might be one tiny silver lining in the fact that small business are able to make layoffs; they’re not down to their last employee and closing their doors, instead.

Keep your fingers crossed that things will start to look up.  The Dow’s risen by 122 points so far today, at least.