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1 Technical information: (202) 691-5870 http://www.bls.gov/jlt/ Media contact: USDL 07-0842 For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007 691-5902 JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: APRIL 2007 On the last business day of April, there were 4.1 million job openings in the United States, and the job openings rate was 2.9 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The job openings and hires rates were unchanged in April, and the total separations rate was essentially unchanged. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector by industry and geographic region. Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted, Percent May 2004 - April 2007 Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted, Percent May 2004 - April 2007 3.9 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.5 Hires 3.3 3.5 3.1 2.9 3.3 Separations 2.7 3.1 2.5 2.3 2.9 2.1 1.9 2.7 1.7 1.5 2005 2006 2007 2.5 2005 2006 2007 Job Openings In April, the job openings rate was unchanged at 2.9 percent. Job openings include only those jobs still open on the last business day of the month. The job openings rate fell over the month in the accommodations and food services industry. None of the regions experienced a significant over-the-month change in the job openings rate. The seasonally adjusted job openings rate was highest in April for the following industries: professional and business services (4.2 percent), accommodations and food services (3.8 percent), and education and health services (3.7 percent). (See table 1.) Over the year, the job openings rate increased in nondurable goods manufacturing; health care and social assistance; and other services. The rate decreased in finance and insurance; educational services; and arts, entertainment, and recreation. The job openings rate did not change significantly over the year in any of the regions. (See table 5.) 2 Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted Job openings Industry Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 1 Total .................................................................... 3,999 4,176 Total private 1 ................................................ 3,562 3,702 152 Construction ............................................... 145 316 Manufacturing ............................................ 323 677 Trade, transportation, and utilities 2 ...... 674 375 Retail trade ............................................... 410 758 Professional and business services ........ 690 685 Education and health services ................. 683 574 Leisure and hospitality 3 .......................... 491 506 Accommodations and food services .. 412 470 Government 4 ................................................ 434 395 430 State and local government ..................... Total 1 .................................................................... Total private 1 ............................................. Construction ............................................... Manufacturing ........................................... Trade, transportation, and utilities 2 ..... Retail trade .............................................. Professional and business services ....... Education and health services ................ Leisure and hospitality 3 ....................... Accommodations and food services .. Government 4 ................................................ State and local government ..................... 1 2 3 4 p 2.9 3.0 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 1.9 2.0 2.9 3.1 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.4 4.1 3.6 4.1 4.2 2.1 2.2 Hires Mar. 2007 Apr. p 2007 Apr. 2006 4,145 3,668 156 336 637 364 782 702 508 451 476 430 Levels (in thousands) 4,741 4,815 4,793 4,351 4,416 4,433 398 356 331 314 318 346 1,054 1,006 997 748 691 688 831 881 894 489 497 505 807 867 903 702 726 813 370 404 424 304 313 327 Rates (percent) 2.9 3.1 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.3 4.2 3.7 3.6 3.8 2.1 2.2 3.5 3.8 5.2 2.2 4.0 4.9 4.8 2.8 6.2 6.3 1.7 1.6 3.5 3.8 4.6 2.3 3.8 4.5 4.9 2.7 6.4 6.3 1.8 1.6 Apr. p 2007 3.5 3.8 4.3 2.5 3.8 4.5 5.0 2.8 6.7 7.1 1.9 1.7 Total separations Apr. Mar. Apr. 2006 2007 2007 p 4,405 4,105 382 342 1,009 719 737 425 777 699 316 246 4,741 4,417 344 400 974 682 876 429 846 702 315 238 4,579 4,276 379 389 940 660 864 418 847 693 315 238 3.2 3.6 5.0 2.4 3.8 4.7 4.2 2.4 6.0 6.3 1.4 1.3 3.4 3.8 4.5 2.8 3.7 4.4 4.9 2.4 6.3 6.1 1.4 1.2 3.3 3.7 4.9 2.8 3.6 4.3 4.8 2.3 6.3 6.0 1.4 1.2 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. Includes federal government, not shown separately. = preliminary. Hires The hires rate was unchanged at 3.5 percent in April. Hires are any additions to the payroll during the month. In April, the hires rate increased in accommodations and food services. None of the regions experienced a significant over-the-month change in the hires rate. The seasonally adjusted hires rate was highest in April in accommodations and food services (7.1 percent). (See table 2.) From April 2006 to April 2007, the hires rate rose in nondurable goods manufacturing; finance and insurance; accommodations and food services; and federal government. The hires rate fell in real estate and rental and leasing; educational services; and arts, entertainment, and recreation. None of the regions experienced a significant over-the-year change in the hires rate. (See table 6.) Separations The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed at 3.3 percent in April. Separations are terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. In April, none of the industries or 3 regions experienced a significant change in the separations rate. From April 2006 to April 2007, the total separations rate increased in durable goods manufacturing; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and federal government. The total separations rate decreased in information. Geographically, the total separations rate rose over the year in the South region. (See tables 3 and 7.) Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations), and other separations (including retirements). The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers’ ability to change jobs, was little changed at 1.9 percent in April. None of the industries or regions experienced a significant change in the quits rate over the month. In April, the seasonally adjusted quits rate was highest in the accommodations and food services industry (4.6 percent). (See table 4.) Over the year, the quits rate rose in nondurable goods manufacturing. The quits rate fell over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities; and information. Geographically, the quits rate rose over the year in the South region. (See table 8.) The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—are not seasonally adjusted. For April, the layoffs and discharges rate (1.1 percent) and level (1.5 million) were essentially unchanged from a year earlier. As is typical many months, the layoffs and discharges rate in April was highest in arts, entertainment, and recreation (5.4 percent), construction (2.3 percent), and professional and business services (2.3 percent). From April 2006 to April 2007, the other separations rate decreased to 0.2 percent, and the level decreased to 308,000. (See tables 9 and 10.) The total separations rate is driven by the relative contribution of its three components (quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations), with quits contributing the largest portion. The percentage of total separations attributable to quits has risen and fallen over time along with employment levels. The proportion of quits fell from 61 percent in February 2001 to 51 percent in August 2003 (seasonally adjusted), and has since risen. In April 2007, the percentage of quits was 58 percent. Flows in the Labor Market Hires and separations data help show dynamic flows in the labor market. For the 12 months ending in April 2007, hires have averaged 4.9 million per month and separations have averaged 4.6 million per month (not seasonally adjusted). The comparable figures for the prior 12-month period were 4.8 million hires and 4.6 million separations. (See the Technical Note for additional information on these measures.) Several industries consistently have high rates of both hires and separations. These include construction; retail trade; professional and business services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodations and food services. In the 12 months ending in April 2007, these five industries produced 34.8 million hires and 33.0 million separations. Thus, these five industries accounted for 59 percent of total nonfarm hires and 59 percent of total nonfarm separations while comprising only 39 percent of total nonfarm employment. For More Information For additional information, please read the Technical Note or visit the JOLTS Web site at http://www. bls.gov/jlt/. Additional information about JOLTS also may be obtained by e-mailing Joltsinfo@bls.gov or by calling (202) 691-5870. __________________________ The Job Openings and Labor Turnover release for May 2007 is scheduled to be issued on Tuesday, July 10. Technical Note The data for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) are collected and compiled monthly from a sample of business establishments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Collection Each month, data are collected in a survey of business establishments for total employment, job openings, hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Data collection methods include computer-assisted telephone interviewing, touchtone data entry, fax, and mail. Coverage The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as federal, state, and local government entities in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Concepts Industry classification. The industry classifications in this release are in accordance with the 2002 version of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). In order to ensure the highest possible quality of data, State Workforce Agencies verify with employers and update, if necessary, the industry code, location, and ownership classification of all establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes in establishment characteristics resulting from the verification process are always introduced into the JOLTS sampling frame with the data reported for the first month of the year. Employment. Employment includes persons on the payroll who worked or received pay for the pay period that includes the 12th day of the reference month. Full-time, part-time, permanent, short-term, seasonal, salaried, and hourly employees are included, as are employees on paid vacations or other paid leave. Proprietors or partners of unincorporated businesses, unpaid family workers, or persons on leave without pay or on strike for the entire pay period, are not counted as employed. Employees of temporary help agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, and consultants are counted by their employer of record, not by the establishment where they are working. Job openings. Establishments submit job openings information for the last business day of the reference month. A job opening requires that: 1) a specific position exists and there is work available for that position, 2) work could start within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is found, and 3) the employer is actively recruiting from outside the establishment to fill the position. Included are full-time, part-time, permanent, short-term, and seasonal openings. Active recruiting means that the establishment is taking steps to fill a position by advertising in newspapers or on the Internet, posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or using other similar methods. Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers, promotions, demotions, or recall from layoffs are excluded. Also excluded are jobs with start dates more than 30 days in the future, jobs for which employees have been hired but have not yet reported for work, and jobs to be filled by employees of temporary help agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The job openings rate is computed by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings and multiplying that quotient by 100. Hires. Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll occurring at any time during the reference month, including both new and rehired employees, full-time and part-time, permanent, short-term, and seasonal employees, employees recalled to the location after a layoff lasting more than 7 days, on-call or intermittent employees who returned to work after having been formally separated, and transfers from other locations. The hires count does not include transfers or promotions within the reporting site, employees returning from strike, employees of temporary help agencies or employee leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The hires rate is computed by dividing the number of hires by employment and multiplying that quotient by 100. Separations. Separations are the total number of terminations of employment occurring at any time during the reference month, and are reported by type of separation— quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are voluntary separations by employees (except for retirements, which are reported as other separations). Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer and include layoffs with no intent to rehire, formal layoffs lasting or expected to last more than 7 days, discharges resulting from mergers, downsizing, or closings, firings or other discharges for cause, terminations of permanent or short-term employees, and terminations of seasonal employees. Other separations include retirements, transfers to other locations, deaths, and separations due to disability. Separations do not include transfers within the same location or employees on strike. The separations rate is computed by dividing the number of separations by employment and multiplying that quotient by 100. The quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations rates are computed similarly, dividing the number by employment and multiplying by 100. Annual estimates. Annual estimates of rates and levels of hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total separations are released with the January news release each year. The JOLTS annual level estimates for hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total separations are the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. The annual rate estimates are computed by dividing the annual level by the Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average employment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100. This figure will be approximately equal to the sum of the 12 monthly rates. Note that both the JOLTS and CES annual levels are rounded to the nearest thousand before the annual estimates are calculated. Consistent with BLS practices, annual estimates will be published only for not seasonally adjusted data. Annual estimates are not calculated for job openings because job openings are a stock, or point-in-time, measurement for the last business day of each month. Only jobs still open on the last day of the month are counted. For the same reason job openings cannot be cumulated throughout each month, annual figures for job openings cannot be created by summing the monthly estimates. Hires and separations are flow measures and are cumulated over the month with a total reported for the month. Therefore, the annual figures can be created by summing the monthly estimates. Sample methodology The JOLTS sample design is a random sample of 16,000 nonfarm business establishments, including factories, offices, and stores, as well as federal, state, and local governments in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The establishments are drawn from a universe of over eight million establishments compiled as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program. This program includes all employers subject to state Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws and federal agencies subject to Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region, industry sector, and size class. Large firms fall into the sample with virtual certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates are controlled to the employment estimates of the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS employment is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS data elements. Rates are then computed from the adjusted levels. Using JOLTS data The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires, and separations are relatively new. The full sample is divided into panels, with one panel enrolled each month. A full complement of panels for the original data series based on the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was not completely enrolled in the survey until January 2002. The supplemental panels of establishments needed to create NAICS estimates were not completely enrolled until May 2003. The data collected up until those points are from less than a full sample. Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with caution, as fewer sampled units were reporting data at that time. In March 2002, BLS procedures for collecting hires and separations data were revised to address possible underreporting. As a result, JOLTS hires and separations estimates for months prior to March 2002 may not be comparable with estimates for March 2002 and later. The federal government reorganization that involved transferring approximately 180,000 employees to the new Department of Homeland Security is not reflected in the JOLTS hires and separations estimates for the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management’s record shows these transfers were completed in March 2003. The inclusion of transfers in the JOLTS definitions of hires and separations is intended to cover ongoing movements of workers between establishments. The Department of Homeland Security reorganization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion of these intergovernmental transfers would distort the federal government time series. Seasonal adjustment BLS seasonally adjusts several JOLTS series using the X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment program. Seasonal adjustment is the process of estimating and removing periodic fluctuations caused by events such as weather, holidays, and the beginning and ending of the school year. Seasonal adjustment makes it easier to observe fundamental changes in the level of the series, particularly those associated with general economic expansions and contractions. A concurrent seasonal adjustment methodology is used in which new seasonal adjustment factors are calculated each month, using all relevant data, up to and including the data for the current month. Prior to the January 2007 benchmark release in March 2007, seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS series was conducted using the stable seasonal filter option since there were not enough data observations available for the standard use of moving averages as seasonal filters. Although the seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS series is conducted with fewer data observations than is customary, the number of observations is now above the minimum required by X-12-ARIMA to use the normal seasonal filters. Therefore, the standard use of moving averages as seasonal filters is now in place for JOLTS seasonal adjustment. JOLTS seasonal adjustment now includes both additive and multiplicative seasonal adjustment models and REGARIMA (regression with autocorrelated errors) modeling to improve the seasonal adjustment factors at the beginning and end of the series and to detect and adjust for outliers in the series. Due to the improved diagnostics, three additional industries are now seasonally adjusted: retail trade, accommodations and food services, and state and local government. It is expected that more series may be seasonally adjusted when more data are available. Reliability of the estimates JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the entire population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimates may differ from the “true” population values they represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies depending on the particular sample selected, and this variability is measured by the standard error of the estimate. BLS analysis is generally conducted at the 90-percent level of confidence. That means that there is a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the “true” population value because of sampling error. Estimates of sampling errors are available upon request. The JOLTS estimates also are affected by nonsampling error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, including the failure to include a segment of the population, the inability to obtain data from all units in the sample, the inability or unwillingness of respondents to provide data on a timely basis, mistakes made by respondents, errors made in the collection or processing of the data, and errors from the employment benchmark data used in estimation. JOLTS hires and separations estimates cannot be used to exactly explain net changes in nonfarm payroll employment. Some reasons why it is problematic to compare changes in payroll employment with JOLTS hires and separations, especially on a monthly basis, are: 1) the reference period for payroll employment is the pay period including the 12th of the month, while the reference period for hires and separations is the calendar month; and 2) payroll employment can vary from month to month simply because part-time and on-call workers may not always work during the pay period that includes the 12th of the month. Additionally, research has found that some reporters systematically underreport separations relative to hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their payroll systems and practices. The shortfall appears to be about 2 percent or less over a 12-month period. Other information Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339. Table 1. Job openings levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Levels 3 (in thousands) Dec. Jan. Feb. 2006 2007 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Dec. 2006 Rates Jan. 2007 Feb. 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total 4…………………………………………… 3,999 4,200 4,401 4,222 4,149 4,176 4,145 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.9 3,735 106 328 671 417 705 713 625 528 463 427 3,928 107 362 767 471 745 734 612 538 473 427 3,746 142 337 727 413 707 707 552 495 477 439 3,666 229 330 660 378 642 670 566 511 482 438 3,702 152 316 677 375 758 685 574 506 470 430 3,668 156 336 637 364 782 702 508 451 476 430 3.0 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 1.9 2.0 3.1 1.4 2.3 2.5 2.7 3.8 3.8 4.5 4.4 2.0 2.2 3.3 1.4 2.5 2.8 3.0 4.0 3.9 4.4 4.5 2.1 2.2 3.1 1.8 2.3 2.7 2.6 3.8 3.8 4.0 4.1 2.1 2.2 3.1 2.9 2.3 2.4 2.4 3.5 3.6 4.0 4.3 2.1 2.2 3.1 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.4 4.1 3.6 4.1 4.2 2.1 2.2 3.1 2.0 2.3 2.4 2.3 4.2 3.7 3.6 3.8 2.1 2.2 772 1,572 770 1,034 849 1,674 810 1,044 733 1,653 822 1,005 717 1,631 783 1,011 703 1,658 797 1,027 692 1,663 764 1,020 2.6 3.2 2.4 3.0 2.9 3.1 2.4 3.3 3.2 3.3 2.5 3.3 2.8 3.2 2.5 3.2 2.7 3.2 2.4 3.2 2.7 3.3 2.4 3.2 2.6 3.3 2.3 3.2 Industry and region INDUSTRY Total private 4………………………………… 3,562 Construction………………………………… 145 Manufacturing……………………………… 323 Trade, transportation, and utilities 5……… 674 Retail trade……………………………… 410 Professional and business services……… 690 Education and health services…………… 683 Leisure and hospitality 6………………...… 491 Accommodations and food services…… 412 Government 7………………………………… 434 State and local government…………….… 395 REGION 8 Northeast…………………………………… 685 South…………………………………………1,599 Midwest……………………………………… 764 West………………………………………… 953 1 Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month. 2 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. 3 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series. 4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. 5 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. 6 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 8 The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. p = preliminary. Table 2. Hires levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Levels 3 (in thousands) Dec. Jan. Feb. 2006 2007 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Dec. 2006 Rates Jan. 2007 Feb. 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total 4…………………………………………… 4,741 4,994 4,959 4,959 4,815 4,815 4,793 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 4,665 395 363 1,012 737 1,010 492 903 748 348 303 4,662 341 375 990 699 963 515 969 793 371 313 4,607 299 369 1,020 757 954 508 956 825 384 321 4,509 298 371 1,018 695 953 518 934 778 379 317 4,416 356 318 1,006 691 881 497 867 726 404 313 4,433 331 346 997 688 894 505 903 813 424 327 3.8 5.2 2.2 4.0 4.9 4.8 2.8 6.2 6.3 1.7 1.6 4.1 5.1 2.6 3.8 4.8 5.7 2.7 6.8 6.6 1.6 1.6 4.1 4.4 2.7 3.8 4.6 5.4 2.8 7.2 6.9 1.7 1.6 4.0 3.9 2.6 3.9 4.9 5.4 2.8 7.1 7.2 1.7 1.7 3.9 3.9 2.6 3.9 4.5 5.3 2.9 7.0 6.8 1.7 1.6 3.8 4.6 2.3 3.8 4.5 4.9 2.7 6.4 6.3 1.8 1.6 3.8 4.3 2.5 3.8 4.5 5.0 2.8 6.7 7.1 1.9 1.7 713 1,979 1,061 1,249 768 1,900 1,150 1,209 833 1,899 1,167 1,142 709 1,837 1,184 1,156 740 1,835 1,105 1,157 760 1,889 1,068 1,163 3.2 3.8 3.1 3.9 2.8 4.0 3.4 4.1 3.0 3.9 3.6 3.9 3.2 3.9 3.7 3.7 2.8 3.7 3.7 3.8 2.9 3.7 3.5 3.8 3.0 3.8 3.4 3.8 Industry and region INDUSTRY 4 Total private ………………………………… 4,351 Construction………………………………… 398 Manufacturing……………………………… 314 Trade, transportation, and utilities 5……… 1,054 Retail trade……………………………… 748 Professional and business services……… 831 Education and health services…………… 489 Leisure and hospitality 6………………...… 807 Accommodations and food services…… 702 Government 7………………………………… 370 State and local government…………….… 304 REGION 8 Northeast…………………………………… 806 South…………………………………………1,847 Midwest……………………………………… 966 West………………………………………… 1,173 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series. 4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. 2 5 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. 6 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 8 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. Table 3. Total separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Levels 3 (in thousands) Dec. Jan. Feb. 2006 2007 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Dec. 2006 Rates Jan. 2007 Feb. 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total 4…………………………………………… 4,405 4,844 4,540 4,602 4,556 4,741 4,579 3.2 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.3 4,543 413 360 1,020 719 974 430 838 721 305 256 4,253 387 372 962 707 851 430 835 757 283 255 4,296 400 399 973 680 894 423 768 612 309 254 4,263 322 422 943 656 862 419 835 697 294 243 4,417 344 400 974 682 876 429 846 702 315 238 4,276 379 389 940 660 864 418 847 693 315 238 3.6 5.0 2.4 3.8 4.7 4.2 2.4 6.0 6.3 1.4 1.3 4.0 5.4 2.5 3.9 4.7 5.5 2.4 6.3 6.3 1.4 1.3 3.7 5.0 2.6 3.7 4.6 4.8 2.4 6.2 6.6 1.3 1.3 3.7 5.2 2.8 3.7 4.4 5.0 2.3 5.7 5.4 1.4 1.3 3.7 4.2 3.0 3.6 4.3 4.8 2.3 6.2 6.1 1.3 1.2 3.8 4.5 2.8 3.7 4.4 4.9 2.4 6.3 6.1 1.4 1.2 3.7 4.9 2.8 3.6 4.3 4.8 2.3 6.3 6.0 1.4 1.2 707 2,011 985 1,079 670 1,796 1,054 1,036 740 1,783 1,034 1,037 675 1,763 1,054 1,041 667 1,829 1,006 1,165 641 1,853 997 1,124 2.7 3.5 3.0 3.7 2.8 4.1 3.1 3.5 2.6 3.7 3.3 3.4 2.9 3.6 3.3 3.4 2.6 3.6 3.3 3.4 2.6 3.7 3.2 3.8 2.5 3.8 3.1 3.7 Industry and region INDUSTRY 4 Total private ………………………………… 4,105 Construction………………………………… 382 Manufacturing……………………………… 342 Trade, transportation, and utilities 5……… 1,009 Retail trade……………………………… 719 Professional and business services……… 737 Education and health services…………… 425 Leisure and hospitality 6………………...… 777 Accommodations and food services…… 699 Government 7………………………………… 316 State and local government…………….… 246 REGION 8 Northeast…………………………………… 696 South…………………………………………1,694 Midwest……………………………………… 926 West………………………………………… 1,128 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month. 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series. 4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. 5 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. 6 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 8 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. Table 4. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Levels 3 (in thousands) Dec. Jan. Feb. 2006 2007 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Nov. 2006 Dec. 2006 Rates Jan. 2007 Feb. 2007 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total 4…………………………………………… 2,530 2,774 2,759 2,648 2,705 2,763 2,640 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.9 2,625 144 211 661 472 486 278 565 520 147 125 2,615 143 222 597 438 497 289 602 560 146 130 2,505 141 229 594 422 498 271 489 448 150 129 2,571 120 212 606 438 486 280 579 531 139 117 2,591 131 216 608 428 461 267 590 539 155 130 2,498 137 202 574 423 456 274 576 524 150 126 2.1 2.3 1.2 2.3 2.9 2.3 1.4 4.1 4.4 .7 .7 2.3 1.9 1.5 2.5 3.1 2.7 1.5 4.2 4.6 .7 .6 2.3 1.9 1.6 2.3 2.9 2.8 1.6 4.5 4.9 .7 .7 2.2 1.8 1.6 2.3 2.7 2.8 1.5 3.7 3.9 .7 .7 2.2 1.6 1.5 2.3 2.9 2.7 1.5 4.3 4.6 .6 .6 2.2 1.7 1.5 2.3 2.8 2.6 1.5 4.4 4.7 .7 .7 2.2 1.8 1.4 2.2 2.8 2.6 1.5 4.3 4.6 .7 .6 409 1,167 543 645 367 1,171 559 638 355 1,099 595 602 322 1,152 599 629 352 1,150 588 665 335 1,151 553 615 1.4 2.2 1.7 2.0 1.6 2.4 1.7 2.1 1.4 2.4 1.8 2.1 1.4 2.2 1.9 2.0 1.3 2.3 1.9 2.0 1.4 2.3 1.9 2.2 1.3 2.3 1.7 2.0 Industry and region INDUSTRY 4 Total private ………………………………… 2,379 Construction………………………………… 177 Manufacturing……………………………… 174 Trade, transportation, and utilities 5……… 614 Retail trade……………………………… 450 Professional and business services……… 398 Education and health services…………… 253 Leisure and hospitality 6………………...… 535 Accommodations and food services…… 490 Government 7………………………………… 156 State and local government…………….… 125 REGION 8 Northeast…………………………………… 363 South…………………………………………1,053 Midwest……………………………………… 536 West………………………………………… 604 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series. 4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately. 2 5 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately. 6 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 8 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. Table 5. Job openings levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total……………………………………………………… 4,205 4,283 4,326 3.0 3.0 3.0 3,827 13 159 328 206 122 686 169 365 152 140 258 196 63 727 693 57 636 663 74 589 161 3,847 13 191 352 217 135 637 153 355 129 135 243 174 69 815 725 73 652 583 71 512 152 3.2 1.7 2.3 2.3 2.6 1.9 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.7 4.2 3.8 4.2 2.6 3.9 3.8 3.4 3.9 4.3 4.8 4.2 1.8 3.2 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.8 2.3 2.9 4.4 3.0 3.0 2.8 4.0 3.6 1.8 4.0 4.8 3.9 5.0 2.9 3.2 1.8 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.5 4.2 2.8 2.7 3.1 4.4 3.8 2.3 4.1 4.2 3.6 4.3 2.7 438 44 393 456 45 412 478 52 426 1.9 1.6 2.0 2.0 1.6 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.1 705 1,698 810 992 680 1,737 835 1,032 700 1,767 804 1,055 2.7 3.4 2.5 3.2 2.6 3.4 2.6 3.3 2.6 3.5 2.5 3.3 INDUSTRY Total private…………………………………………… 3,768 11 Natural resources and mining…………………… 177 Construction………………………………………… 339 Manufacturing……………………………………… 239 Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… 100 Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… 686 142 Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… 407 137 Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… 134 Information………………………………………… 326 Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… 268 58 Real estate and rental and leasing…………… 710 Professional and business services……………… 705 Education and health services…………………… 107 Educational services…………………………… 597 Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… 578 Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… 94 Accommodations and food services…………… 484 101 Other services……………………………………… Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month. The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2 Table 6. Hires levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total……………………………………………………… 4,864 4,630 4,930 3.6 3.4 3.6 4,343 20 394 328 194 134 974 166 672 136 68 172 109 62 853 454 45 408 903 126 777 177 4,618 23 448 353 207 146 966 167 670 129 87 204 152 52 942 449 50 399 991 133 857 155 4.1 4.1 6.9 2.3 2.2 2.3 4.0 2.4 4.8 3.0 2.3 2.4 1.9 3.8 5.1 2.4 2.3 2.5 6.9 9.1 6.5 3.8 3.8 2.8 5.4 2.3 2.2 2.6 3.7 2.8 4.4 2.7 2.2 2.0 1.8 2.9 4.8 2.5 1.4 2.7 6.9 7.0 6.9 3.3 4.0 3.3 6.0 2.5 2.3 2.8 3.7 2.8 4.4 2.6 2.8 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.3 2.4 1.6 2.6 7.4 7.0 7.5 2.8 266 53 213 287 72 215 312 79 233 1.2 2.0 1.1 1.3 2.7 1.1 1.4 2.9 1.2 813 1,829 1,057 1,165 682 1,776 1,092 1,080 778 1,881 1,109 1,162 3.2 3.8 3.4 3.8 2.7 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.8 3.5 3.8 INDUSTRY Total private…………………………………………… 4,598 27 Natural resources and mining…………………… 524 Construction………………………………………… 320 Manufacturing……………………………………… 199 Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… 121 Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… 1,028 143 Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… 735 150 Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… 71 Information………………………………………… 198 Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… 117 81 Real estate and rental and leasing…………… 895 Professional and business services……………… 434 Education and health services…………………… 70 Educational services…………………………… 364 Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… 896 Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… 170 Accommodations and food services…………… 726 205 Other services……………………………………… Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month. The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2 Table 7. Total separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total……………………………………………………… 4,141 4,258 4,286 3.0 3.1 3.1 4,035 21 308 405 254 152 900 161 603 136 75 240 159 81 861 389 40 349 702 93 609 133 4,056 22 319 385 226 159 824 141 580 103 72 185 131 54 894 392 49 343 813 155 659 150 3.4 3.5 4.1 2.4 2.0 3.1 3.5 2.2 4.2 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.5 4.5 2.3 1.2 2.5 5.7 4.0 6.0 2.6 3.5 3.0 4.2 2.9 2.8 3.0 3.4 2.7 4.0 2.7 2.4 2.9 2.5 3.7 4.9 2.1 1.3 2.3 5.4 5.2 5.4 2.4 3.5 3.1 4.2 2.7 2.5 3.1 3.1 2.4 3.8 2.0 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.5 5.0 2.1 1.6 2.2 6.1 8.1 5.7 2.7 230 56 174 223 63 160 231 67 164 1.0 2.1 .9 1.0 2.3 .8 1.0 2.5 .8 635 1,654 809 1,043 553 1,682 921 1,101 567 1,829 836 1,055 2.5 3.4 2.6 3.4 2.2 3.4 2.9 3.6 2.2 3.7 2.6 3.4 INDUSTRY Total private…………………………………………… 3,911 23 Natural resources and mining…………………… 313 Construction………………………………………… 341 Manufacturing……………………………………… 179 Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… 162 Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… 900 132 Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… 639 129 Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… 75 Information………………………………………… 190 Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… 136 54 Real estate and rental and leasing…………… 790 Professional and business services……………… 405 Education and health services…………………… 38 Educational services…………………………… 367 Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… 735 Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… 74 Accommodations and food services…………… 660 140 Other services……………………………………… Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month. The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2 Table 8. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total……………………………………………………… 2,438 2,579 2,500 1.8 1.9 1.8 2,457 12 121 219 129 89 577 116 396 65 50 162 108 54 487 244 22 223 496 39 457 89 2,380 12 133 200 113 88 535 83 393 59 51 108 81 26 439 259 28 231 545 46 499 98 2.0 1.7 2.2 1.3 1.2 1.4 2.2 1.4 2.8 1.6 1.8 1.2 1.2 1.1 2.3 1.4 .6 1.5 3.9 2.0 4.2 1.3 2.2 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.7 2.2 2.0 2.6 1.3 1.6 1.9 1.7 2.5 2.8 1.3 .7 1.5 3.8 2.1 4.0 1.6 2.1 1.7 1.8 1.4 1.3 1.7 2.0 1.4 2.6 1.2 1.7 1.3 1.3 1.2 2.5 1.4 .9 1.5 4.1 2.4 4.3 1.8 123 27 96 122 21 101 119 23 97 .6 1.0 .5 .5 .8 .5 .5 .8 .5 325 1,051 496 567 315 1,054 570 639 292 1,148 487 572 1.3 2.2 1.6 1.9 1.2 2.1 1.8 2.1 1.1 2.3 1.5 1.9 INDUSTRY Total private…………………………………………… 2,315 11 Natural resources and mining…………………… 168 Construction………………………………………… 179 Manufacturing……………………………………… 107 Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… 72 Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… 584 80 Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… 421 82 Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… 56 Information………………………………………… 99 Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… 75 24 Real estate and rental and leasing…………… 401 Professional and business services……………… 242 Education and health services…………………… 18 Educational services…………………………… 225 Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… 503 Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… 37 Accommodations and food services…………… 466 72 Other services……………………………………… Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month. The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2 Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Total……………………………………………………… 1,340 1,374 1,479 1.0 1.0 1.1 1,327 6 164 158 104 54 240 41 151 47 18 63 43 20 333 119 17 102 187 53 134 38 1,423 7 176 147 94 54 224 50 144 31 16 54 33 21 413 107 17 90 244 103 140 35 1.1 1.5 1.5 .9 .6 1.5 .9 .7 1.2 .5 .5 .8 .6 1.3 1.8 .7 .5 .7 1.6 1.8 1.5 1.1 1.2 .8 2.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 .9 .7 1.0 .9 .6 .7 .7 .9 1.9 .7 .5 .7 1.4 2.9 1.2 .7 1.2 .9 2.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 .9 .8 .9 .6 .5 .6 .5 1.0 2.3 .6 .5 .6 1.8 5.4 1.2 .6 60 12 47 48 15 33 55 15 40 .3 .5 .2 .2 .5 .2 .2 .6 .2 246 444 252 398 183 511 290 390 218 577 284 400 1.0 .9 .8 1.3 .7 1.0 .9 1.3 .8 1.2 .9 1.3 INDUSTRY Total private…………………………………………… 1,281 10 Natural resources and mining…………………… 114 Construction………………………………………… 132 Manufacturing……………………………………… 55 Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… 77 Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… 241 40 Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… 178 23 Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… 14 Information………………………………………… 66 Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… 37 29 Real estate and rental and leasing…………… 322 Professional and business services……………… 120 Education and health services…………………… 16 Educational services…………………………… 104 Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… 204 Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… 35 Accommodations and food services…………… 169 58 Other services……………………………………… Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month. The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2 Table 10. Other separations levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted Levels (in thousands) Industry and region Rates Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p Apr. 2006 Mar. 2007 Apr. 2007p 363 305 308 0.3 0.2 0.2 Total private…………………………………………… Natural resources and mining…………………… Construction………………………………………… Manufacturing……………………………………… Durable goods...………………………………… Nondurable goods...…………………………… Trade, transportation, and utilities……………… Wholesale trade………………………………… Retail trade……………………………………… Transportation, warehousing, and utilities…… Information………………………………………… Financial activities……..…………………………… Finance and insurance………………………… Real estate and rental and leasing…………… Professional and business services……………… Education and health services…………………… Educational services…………………………… Health care and social assistance……………… Leisure and hospitality………………...………… Arts, entertainment, and recreation…………… Accommodations and food services…………… Other services……………………………………… 315 2 31 30 18 13 75 11 40 24 4 25 24 2 67 43 4 39 28 2 25 9 251 3 23 28 20 8 83 4 55 23 7 15 8 7 41 26 2 24 19 1 18 6 252 3 9 37 19 18 65 8 44 13 5 23 16 7 42 27 4 23 25 5 20 17 .3 .3 .4 .2 .2 .2 .3 .2 .3 .5 .1 .3 .4 .1 .4 .2 .1 .3 .2 .1 .2 .2 .2 .4 .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 .1 .4 .5 .2 .2 .1 .3 .2 .1 .1 .2 .1 .1 .2 .1 .2 .4 .1 .3 .2 .3 .2 .1 .3 .3 .1 .3 .3 .3 .2 .1 .1 .1 .2 .3 .2 .3 Government…………………………………………… Federal……………………………………………… State and local…………….……………………… 47 17 30 54 27 27 56 29 27 .2 .6 .2 .2 1.0 .1 .2 1.1 .1 65 159 61 77 55 117 62 72 56 104 65 83 .3 .3 .2 .3 .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .3 Total……………………………………………………… INDUSTRY REGION 3 Northeast…………………………………………… South………………………………………………… Midwest……………………………………………… West………………………………………………… 1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month. The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment. 3 See footnote 8, table 1. p = preliminary. 2