Big Insights for Small Businesses

Small businesses face big challenges. Especially when it comes to talent. Competing with larger companies and the gig economy, it has become harder than ever to attract, manage, and retain the best team members. But we know a secret: Local businesses are some of the greatest places to work. We’ve surveyed thousands of U.S. hourly workers to uncover unique ways small businesses can unleash the power of “local” and triumph in the war for talent.

The future of work is here. Are you ready?

Small businesses win by putting people first.

For U.S. hourly workers, culture beats corporations. Employees judge job satisfaction based not only on what their job pays them, but also on how their job makes them feel. Therein lies the opportunity for small businesses: leaning into leadership, learning, respect, and community. Emphasizing people as much as paychecks.

Workers at small businesses are more likely than workers at larger companies to say they feel valued, supported, and connected.

"I feel that I can be my true self at work"
36%
BUSINESSES with more than 500 employees
53%
BUSINESSES with LESS than 10 employees
Top 5 things hourly workers want
49%
Higher Salary
12%
Learn new skills
8%
4-day workweeks
7%
More paid time off
4%
Better health insurance

Even in challenging economic times, money isn’t everything. There are other things small businesses can offer to attract and retain top talent.

| Forth & Nomad, HOUSTON, TX.
“People have a connection to our brand, and they want to work for us for that reason.”
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Andy Sommer
CEO & FOUNDER
Read the full report
See how small businesses compete with big corporations for talent.

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Let's Connect
If you think about the Future of Work, we want to chat.
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Jason Greenberg
Head Economist @ Homebase

Prior to joining Homebase, Jason served as an academic at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and New York University’s Stern School of Business. Jason’s academic research has been acknowledged with several awards and media coverage. Jason earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MPP from the University of Chicago, MA from the University of Florida, and BA from SUNY Binghamton.

Great businesses are built on great teams.
Great teams are built on Homebase.

Homebase makes work easier for 100,000+ small (but mighty) businesses with everything they need to run great teams: employee scheduling, time clocks, payroll, team communication, hiring, onboarding, and compliance. Just don’t call us “Human Capital Management.”

We’re one easy app built for the busiest businesses, so owners and employees can spend less time on bullsh*t and more time on what matters.

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