The San Diego business community remains “comfortably optimistic” in the latest survey of local economic conditions by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
All four components of the chamber’s Business Outlook Index—expectations about hiring, hours offered to workers, revenue, and business conditions—were holding steady in February compared to the previous three months.
“The business outlook is holding steady,” said Tom Wornham, chief executive officer of CalPrivate Bank, sponsor of the survey. However, he added, “the outlook is not as bullish as it was in February 2018.”
The survey also asked businesses about their hiring of independent contractors and freelancers in the wake of a California Supreme Court ruling that could upend such flexible employment.
Among companies employing these non-staff workers, 72 percent said they are extremely or very important to their firm’s success.
“Before they have enough work to hire another employee, many San Diego small businesses use independent contractors as an option to grow their business,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the chamber. “The flexibility of freelance work is just as much a benefit for someone who prefers to maintain control over when they work.”
The latest survey was fielded Feb. 12 – 27 by Competitive Edge Research & Communication using responses from 202 randomly-selected members of the San Diego, East County, Alpine, Escondido, Lakeside, Vista, Santee, Encinitas, National City, and Coronado chambers of commerce.
