As employers begin to adjust to the current state of the economy, they have some pretty big concerns—particularly healthcare reform and immigration, according to a recent study released by Littler Mendelson. The Executive Employer Survey Report, the second annual one the firm has conducted, looked at how the economy and recent regulatory changes are affecting some of the country's largest employers.

“As the economy continues to recover, our findings suggest that employers are eager to expand their workforce and are starting to see a decline in the impact of some of the key obstacles facing workers,” said Thomas Bender, co-managing director of Littler.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and immigration reform of are particular concern for employers, according to the study.

“With implementation of the Affordable Care Act top-of-mind for employers and many predicting that 2013 could be the year for comprehensive immigration reform, employers are closely watching how legislation in these and other areas will impact their operations,” said Jeremy Roth, co-managing director of Littler.

Some of the survey's highlights include:

  • 60% of employers plan to hire full-time employees in the next year. In 2012, 71% planned to hire new employees.
  • 57% of employers expect healthcare reform to significantly impact their workplaces this year and 37% expect a moderate impact.
  • 54% of employer respondents indicated that they are implementing employee wellness programs in response to the ACA and only 6% are discounting health benefits for full-time employees in favor of paying the penalty.
  • Most employer respondents (82%) expect President Obama to place a high priority on immigration reform, compared to only 33% last year.

Read the full Executive Employer Survey Report.

See more Facts & Figures on InsideCounsel.

As employers begin to adjust to the current state of the economy, they have some pretty big concerns—particularly healthcare reform and immigration, according to a recent study released by Littler Mendelson. The Executive Employer Survey Report, the second annual one the firm has conducted, looked at how the economy and recent regulatory changes are affecting some of the country's largest employers.

“As the economy continues to recover, our findings suggest that employers are eager to expand their workforce and are starting to see a decline in the impact of some of the key obstacles facing workers,” said Thomas Bender, co-managing director of Littler.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and immigration reform of are particular concern for employers, according to the study.

“With implementation of the Affordable Care Act top-of-mind for employers and many predicting that 2013 could be the year for comprehensive immigration reform, employers are closely watching how legislation in these and other areas will impact their operations,” said Jeremy Roth, co-managing director of Littler.

Some of the survey's highlights include:

  • 60% of employers plan to hire full-time employees in the next year. In 2012, 71% planned to hire new employees.
  • 57% of employers expect healthcare reform to significantly impact their workplaces this year and 37% expect a moderate impact.
  • 54% of employer respondents indicated that they are implementing employee wellness programs in response to the ACA and only 6% are discounting health benefits for full-time employees in favor of paying the penalty.
  • Most employer respondents (82%) expect President Obama to place a high priority on immigration reform, compared to only 33% last year.

Read the full Executive Employer Survey Report.

See more Facts & Figures on InsideCounsel.