74% of small businesses will fire workers, cut hours under Obamacare

Paul Bedard
Washington Examiner
July 16, 2013

Despite the administration’s controversial decision to delay forcing companies to join Obamacare for a year, three-quarters of small businesses are still making plans to duck the costly law by firing workers, reducing hours of full-time staff, or shift many to part-time, according to a sobering survey released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Small businesses expect the requirement to negatively impact their employees. Twenty-seven percent say they will cut hours to reduce full time employees, 24 percent will reduce hiring, and 23 percent plan to replace full time employees with part-time workers to avoid triggering the mandate,” said the Chamber business survey provided to Secrets.

Under Obamacare, just 30 hours–not the nationally recognized 40 hours–is considered full-time. Companies with 50 full-time workers or more are required to provide health care, or pay a fine.

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