SURVEY: NC Small Businesses Want Unemployment, Workers’ Comp Reform

February 14, 2022 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

SURVEY: NC Small Businesses Want Unemployment, Workers' Comp Reform

Small business owners balloted by the North Carolina office of the National Federation of Independent Business support legislation that would require people to provide evidence they looked for work before receiving unemployment benefits. The 2022 NFIB North Carolina member ballot also showed owners would oppose legislation mandating that workers receive workers’ comp benefits simply because they tested positive for COVID-19. “The underlying message is that owners are deeply concerned about possible state initiatives that would lead to higher taxes on small businesses that already are struggling to keep the doors open during these difficult times,” NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson said. Unlike other business groups, NFIB’s positions on public policy are based solely on input from its members. The member ballot is essential to that process. This year’s ballot said 96.7% of owners believe people who receive unemployment benefits should present evidence they looked for work, while 83.9% oppose workers’ comp benefits to workers who test positive for COVID-19. The ballot also found that:

83.8% of North Carolina members who completed the ballot believe businesses should have access to the information needed to repair equipment and electronic devices they own.
72.2% think the state should eliminate the sales tax on equipment and systems necessary to offset a lack of qualified workers. “This is a growing problem for small businesses here and throughout the country,” Thompson said. “Owners are increasing wages and benefits but still have positions they can’t fill. Without enough workers, businesses have to reduce their hours of operation and can’t always provide the goods and services their customers need and expect.”
70.1% of owners would support legislation to define seasonable employment and exempt seasonable workers from unemployment benefits.

Topics:

Taxes

State:

North Carolina

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