May 24, 2013

CEO Sounding Board

Sounding Board: What trends are you seeing in hiring?

And, what’s happening with employment costs?

Cynthia Barnett | 8/1/2012

Mark Lettelleir
Mark Lettelleir
[Photo: Mark Wemple]

Mark Lettelleir
President/CEO
Modern Business Associates
St. Petersburg

We’re starting to see people hire, but it’s not anywhere near (back to) the level where they ... downsized, right-sized — whatever you want to call it. I’ve heard it from a number of my clients — they’re able to do as much or more with less than they ever have before. ... Employees are in many cases the largest expense of any organization, not only their salary or hourly wage but the benefit side — matching Social Security, federal unemployment, state unemployment, covering them on workers’ comp, health insurance. They’re obviously going up. Workers’ comp rates are starting to creep back up. Unemployment (taxes) will continually increase over the next few years. We owe so much money to the federal government, we’re going to have to pay it back. Everybody is going to continue to try to manage the cost (of health benefits) and put more of the onus on the individual.”

Florida Business News

  • State releases FCAT scores

    The scores released today are the first wave of marks expected from the 2013 administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and the state's new end-of-course exams.

  • Three Florida beaches make Dr. Beach Top 10 list for 2013

    The smile of Dr. Beach still shines on the Sunshine State as three Florida beaches made his annual Top 10 beaches in the U.S. list.

  • U.S. weather-watcher satellite fails just before hurricane season

    A key satellite positioned to track severe weather in the eastern United States has failed, just as the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season is about to start.

    FRIDAY PREVIEW:
    Coming next week to FloridaTrend.com:

    • Florida Icon: C.C. 'Doc' Dockey - The businessman tells us: "I've learned that both political parties in Florida do better running and building than they do governing."
    • CEO Sounding Board - Florida CEOs talk about a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
    • Bearing Down in Jacksonville - Chinese company HCH targets north Florida for distribution.
    • Florida Life - Surfing spots in the Sunshine State.

Florida Trend Video Pick

Summertime at Florida's theme parks
Summertime at Florida's theme parks

A Brief look at Florida's theme parks' upcoming attractions opening this summer.

Earlier Videos

Ballot Box

Apart from remembering and honoring the men and women who lost their lives in military service, do you have any plans for the extended Memorial Day weekend?

  • Yep! Taking a trip, barbecuing, or shopping, with friends and/or family! Can't Wait!
  • Sure, I definitely intend to spend time with loved ones, but I'll be keeping it very low-key.
  • Nah, just gonna take it easy...
  • I'm not taking Monday off...Too much work to be done!

See Results

Ballot Box
Register