WWW.CBIZ.COM SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT INDEX DECEMBER 2016 30% of companies in the SBEI increased hiring, 50% made no changes, and 20% decreased staff. “This December’s reading seems to indicate that some of the economic optimism we’ve seen recently may be translating down to small business hiring. For the most recent report, our SBEI tracked with NFIB’s optimism index post-election, which showed a significant improvement in optimism among small business owners which is expected to translate into increased capital and labor investments in the New Year.” –Philip Noftsinger, President of CBIZ Employee Services Organization TRENDING BY REGION INCREASED DECREASED NO CHANGE -0.28% -0.82% -0.23% -1.61% -0.17% 1.60% 6 MONTH OVERVIEW JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC DECEMBER AT A GLANCE 50% NO CHANGE 30% INCREASED STAFFING 20% DECREASED STAFFING TRENDING BY INDUSTRY INCREASED DECREASED NO CHANGE MANUFACTURING REAL ESTATE NON-PROFITS ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION HEALTHCARE SCIENTIFIC SERVICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RETAIL TECHNICAL SERVICES 2.38% 0.61% 1.72% 1.58%