North Carolina business owners weighing up economy

The Pittsburgh-based bank surveyed a sample of businesses across the state in late summer. The study shows only 15% of the respondents are optimistic about their company’s prospects over the next six months, down from 22% in the spring. About 23% said they are pessimistic about the next six months, up from 20% in the spring. In addition, fewer businesses said they plan to borrow money, and only 42% said they plan to make capital investments in their business, down from 68% in the spring. The disappointment shows up at a time when some metrics on the economy are improving. The unemployment rate has dropped to a nearly four-year low at 7.8% nationwide, although North Carolina unemployment levels have remained a little higher than the rest of the country. By the state’s numbers, North Carolina ranked tenth in job growth from the beginning of 2010 to mid-2012. Gov. Bev Perdue issued a statement previously that said Republicans are “rooting for failure.”  Will this affect employment checks in North Carolina? How employers feel about the economy can play a significant role in their hiring strategy which, in turn, can affect their background screening process and drug testing procedures. Some would state that if employers are worried about the economy and the growth of their business, they may not hire; and if they don’t hire, they will need a less expansive background screen program. Regardless of hiring practices, employment checks will always remain a vital part of any business. From new hires to existing, drug screens to criminal record checks, workplace violence to applicant fraud, an employment verification and screening program is something that should always stay at the forefront of any business owners mind. For information on how you can get started with an employment screening program, contact us today.]]>