Despite May 1st Boycott, Survey Finds California Companies Will Do Business as Usual

Although almost half of all surveyed California companies suspect staffing levels will be affected by the Immigrant Boycott on May 1st, 85 percent of California firms claimed they will conduct business as usual the best they can, according to a survey conducted by Employers Group, a human resources management association for California employers.

According to 620 California firms, 23 percent of all companies surveyed reported experiencing a higher than average number of requests for the day off, while another 42 percent companies expressed that they may experience staffing disruptions. However, despite companiesí staffing forecasts, 87 percent of all the firms have said there will be no change to their time-off policy; and their existing policy will be enforced.

ìThe employer community seems to recognize the likelihood of staffing disruptions, but they are counting on existing time-off policies to deal with the situation,î said William Dahlman, President and CEO of Employers Group.

In regards to communicating policy, 48 percent have not communicated their time-off policies to employees in regards to May 1st, while 38 percent have. Fourteen percent have decided to adopt an informal time-off policy that will deal with absences on a case-by-case basis.

ìThe survey reveals that if anything, employers are holding their breath and not adjusting their time-off policy,î stated Juan Garcia, Director of Research Services for Employers Group. ìCompanies are well aware of the issues surrounding May 1st but for now they are taking a wait-and-see policy. The survey did reveal, however, that 66 percent of the companies will consider working with minimal staff.î

Of all the companies surveyed, Employers Group found that larger companies are more likely to be affected than smaller companies. Although there were slight variations, significant industry differences were not found.