Research >> Economics
September Mass Layoffs total 2,561 actions, 248,006 workers
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Employers took 2,561 mass layoff actions in September that resulted in the separation of 248,006 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in September decreased by 129 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 11,301. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events increased by 271, and associated initial claims increased by 7,285. Year-to-date mass layoff events (23,745) and initial claims (2,410,208) both recorded program highs. In September, 856 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 97,066 initial claims. Over the month, the number of manufacturing events decreased by 44, while associated initial claims increased by 3,174.
During the 22 months from December 2007 through September 2009, the total number of mass layoff events (seasonally adjusted) was 47,230, and the number of initial claims filed (seasonally adjusted) in those events was 4,804,642. (December 2007 was the start of a recession as designated by the National Bureau of Economic Research.)
The national unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September 2009, seasonally adjusted, little changed from 9.7 percent the prior month and up from 6.2 percent a year earlier. In September, total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 263,000 over the month and by 5,785,000 from a year earlier.
Posted: October 22, 2009 Thursday 10:00 AM