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NFIB Weekly News

NFIB Weekly News

NFIB Weekly News Leading the News

Department of Labor’s 2024 final rule complicated independent contractor classification for small businesses (05/06/2025)

“The DOL’s 2024 rule intensified the stress and confusion of the classification process for small business owners and independent contractors,” said Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “NFIB is pleased that the DOL will not be using the 2024 rule in their enforcement efforts, and will instead rely on a standard that provides small business owners and independent contractors the clarity they need and deserve.”

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Business Climate

The Optimism Index declined by 3.3 points in March, falling just below the 51-year average of 98 (04/16/2025)

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell just below the 51-year average in March and taxes ranked as one of the single most important problems facing small business owners. The Uncertainty Index decreased eight points from February’s second highest reading to 96.

“The implementation of new policy priorities has heightened the level of uncertainty among small business owners over the past few months,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small business owners have scaled back expectations on sales growth as they better understand how these rearrangements might impact them.”

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Wages and Benefits

NFIB Jobs Report: Labor Shortages Continue to Constrain Small Business Job Growth (05/01/2025)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2025) – NFIB’s April jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021.

“Small business owners remained open to hire and grow their workforce in April,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While the percent of open positions decreased a bit, Main Street firms are still struggling to find qualified applicants for their plentiful open positions.”

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