Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey for December 2020

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has posted its Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for December 2020. According to the JOLTS report, as of the last day in December, the number of job openings was little changed at 6.6 million and 4.5% respectively. Hires decreased to 5.5 million, while total separations were little changed at 5.5 million. Within separations, in December, the quits level and rate were at 3.3 million or 2.3% respectively. The number of layoffs and discharges rate decreased by 1.3%. Year-over-year the number of job openings in December (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed from December 2019. Job openings decreased in December in a number of industries with the largest decreases in accommodation and food; arts, entertainment, recreation and educational services. The job openings levels did increase in wholesale trade, nondurable and durable goods manufacturing. Over the 12 months ending in December, hires totaled 70.2 million and separations totaled 75.7 million, yielding a net employment loss of 5.5 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.