NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The labor shortage continues to hinder Main Street as small businesses struggle to find good help.
"All year, Kansas job creators have stood in the gap of their open positions, all while trying to recruit top talent and retain their employees," said Dan Murray with NFIB Kansas. "This challenge is compounded by inflation, which continues to put a pressure on prices. We have seen in our most recent jobs report, 43% of all small business owners have reported job openings they could not fill in this current period. That's up three points from our August report."
The growth of small business owners is slowed by their inability to attract and retain talent.
"It inhibits the small business owner from growing and filling those positions," Murray said. "It also distracts the small business owner, because they are performing the duties of the job that they would like to fill with other employees. Certainly, on both fronts, it hinders that growth. The positive for those looking for employment is, small business owners are willing to pay more. They're willing to compensate more through wages and benefits."
The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top business operating problem remains elevated at 23%.
"Thirty-six percent of small business owners report that they have raised or are beginning to raise compensation," Murray said. "Again, that can be through wages, insurance, other benefits, as well. Those that are currently employed, small business owners are raising their compensation, as well, to retain those employees."
Overall, 61% of owners reported hiring or trying to hire in September, up two points from August.
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