A Stern Glance

Employers took 2,763 mass layoff actions in June that resulted in the separation of 279,231 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events decreased by 170 and associated initial claims decreased by 33,649. Both measures had been at record high levels in May. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events increased by 1,046, and associated initial claims increased by 104,483. In June, 1,235 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 159,310 initial claims. Over the year, the number of manufacturing events increased by 680, and associated initial claims increased by 79,566.