Release Details

CLEVELAND, Dec 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Today, the November CBIZ Small Business Employment Index, which is designed to serve as a barometer for hiring trends among companies with 300 or fewer employees, proves once more that the small business owner has doubts about business prospects moving forward.

November's data showed a .44 percent decrease through the month, after posting an increase of .73 percent during October. In September, the decrease was 1.02 percent.

Philip Noftsinger, business unit president for CBIZ Payroll Services offers, "The under 300 employee subset of companies continue to be reticent about growing headcount. While recent announcements have shown hiring trends improving, they include larger employers, which could logically be the early beneficiaries of a recovery. Our index tracks the smaller employer, often dubbed our economy's engine, and this month's results continue to show no material change to employment dilemma."

Additional take-away points from the November data include:

• Contrast to ADP report: Wednesday's report from ADP found job growth in the small business sector. The CBIZ index focuses on smaller company sizes than ADP; expectations for growth in these companies are growing more positive, based upon the larger macro metrics such as the ADP report.
• More companies choosing to sit tight: Of the 3,093 companies included in the survey in November, 52.7 percent made no changes to their employee headcount, up modestly from the 50.6 percent that held steady in October. Anticipating potential changes in economic law, namely the Bush-era tax cuts, business owners are still wary of investing in skilled personnel until clarity is achieved.

• What to watch: The seasonal hires made for this current holiday season should provide a punch for the next index; could that lead to a better overall picture in terms of employment and business hiring, efficiency and productivity?

Noftsinger adds, "Small businesses will likely continue to lag the country's larger employers. Following last month's 'glimmer of hope,' today's small businesses still face tough circumstances that are related to insurance costs like liability and health, increasing energy costs and the well-documented quagmire surrounding our country's tax picture. Given these ever-present obstacles, the outlook for the small business owner still remains a conundrum that demands clarity."

Currently, CBIZ Payroll Services manages payrolls for more than 3,000 businesses that employ fewer than 300 people. The sample reflects a broad array of industries and geographies corresponding to the markets across the United States where CBIZ provides services.

Noftsinger is available for media interviews to discuss small to mid-market employment trends and other payroll matters impacting the American business environment.

(Editor's Note: The United States Department of Labor's "Employment Situation for November 2010" numbers are announced on December 3, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Also, a chart illustrating the trend lines is available for interested editorial outlets.)

About CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE:CBZ)

CBIZ, Inc. provides professional business services that help clients better manage their finances and employees. CBIZ provides its clients with financial services including accounting and tax, internal audit, merger and acquisition advisory, and valuation services. Employee services include group benefits, property and casualty insurance, retirement planning, payroll, HR consulting and wealth management. CBIZ also provides outsourced technology staffing support services, healthcare consulting and medical practice management. As one of the largest benefits specialists and one of the largest accounting, valuation and medical practice management companies in the United States, the Company's services are provided through more than 150 Company offices in 36 states.

SOURCE: CBIZ, Inc.

Press Contact:
Gregory FCA for CBIZ, Inc.
Bradd DelMuto, 610-228-2101
Bradd@GregoryFCA.com