Even if small business owners are down, though, temp workers are not.

FORBES: How Health Insurance Premiums Drag Down the Freelance Economy

Traditional temp work now accounts for 70% of profits, down from 96% when Mr Joerres took charge.

ECONOMIST: Manpower

Manpower, America's largest temp agency, experienced flat sales in the fourth quarter of last year, down from 7% growth year-on-year in the third quarter, as demand from manufacturers plummeted.

ECONOMIST: To cut or not to cut