Now that the Trump tariffs are in play, as well as other inflation causing events, a lot of people are trying to wrap their hands around what that means for their businesses.  Particularly at risk are construction contractors and subcontractors who contract for projects months before they expect to do the work.  The game has changed for those who traditionally bid their projects on a lump sum or a guaranteed maximum price basis. 

The possibility of an ICE raid should be taken seriously due to the effect it can have on operations.  A raid could halt operations which in turn could lead to breach of contract claims and financial losses due to project and other delays.  A raid can also lead to fines assessed against the business as a result of hiring undocumented workers if they have not complied with immigration laws.

Trump’s Executive Order does not, and cannot, allow employers to ignore the discriminatory effects of their actions or engage in discriminatory practices.   The equal protection provisions of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution are not trumped by Trump’s Executive Order.

As we begin 2025, small businesses will face a number of challenges that could impact success.  Most of those are due to rising costs from inflation, potential tariffs, and other drivers.  Others arise from the difficulty of putting your best face forward to increase sales and market share.  And yet others will arise from workplace issues including employee expectations, on the job injuries, and the challenges of managing employee performance.