According to the NFIB’s June Jobs Report, the Small Business Employment Index remained essentially flat, registering 100.2 in June after measuring 100.3 in May. This is the fourth consecutive month the Index declined.

Job Openings Increase

In June, 32% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill, up 3 points from May’s lowest level since May 2020. Twenty-seven percent have openings for skilled workers (unchanged), and 12% have openings for unskilled labor (up 3 points).

NFIB Maryland State Director Mike O’Halloran stated, “As we celebrated America’s independence this weekend, our state’s small businesses continue to demonstrate the American Dream daily. Despite their various business challenges, Maryland’s small employers stay committed to creating jobs and hiring in their communities.”

Labor Challenges Persist

A seasonally adjusted net 11% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, up 2 points from May. Plans to hire are currently at its historical average of a net 11%. Overall, 62% of owners reported hiring or trying to hire in June, up 7 points from May.

Fifty-one percent of owners (84% of those hiring or trying to hire) reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill (up 5 points). Twenty-seven percent reported few qualified applicants (up 3 points), and 24% reported none (up 2 points).

Original reporting: NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) — read the source article.