At the Federal level, it like $56 per person, if you are current in your state plan. The majority of the states have their own programs and that is where most of the cost is. In my state, it is a base rate plus a rate based on your unemployment record. If you throw people out on the bricks on a regular basis. then you end up paying some serious dollars. Other wise, it is about 1% of the first $ 27 K. Rate is dependent upon how long you have been in the system (new employer vs old), etc.
So I guess if the $ 56 + $ 400 I pay per employee is the limiting factor in me running my business, I should find one with a higher profit margin. It certainly is not a factor in whether I employ them or not.
Now if you are talking about that $ 500 per person coming out of my own profits, well, then time to scream bloody murder. No reason I should be give up a few tenths of a percent of my income to help offset some slub too dumb to keep his job. Unless of course, it benefits me like keeping him from tossing a brick through the front window.
Now in Cali-Fornya, it might be much much different
b. Farmer