Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey Released for June 2021

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today (8-9-21) reported its Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for June 2021. According to the JOLTS report, as of the last business day in June, the number and rate of job openings was at a series record high of 10.1 million, or +590,000. The job openings rate increased to 6.5%. In June, the number and rate of hires increased to 6.7 million (+697,000) and 4.6%, respectively. The number of total separations edged up to 5.6 million (+254,000). The rate was little changed at 3.8%. The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed at 1.3 million, a series low. The rate was unchanged at 0.9%, matching last month’s series low. The quits level and rate increased to 3.9 million (+239,000) and 2.7%, respectively. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by four geographic regions. Over the 12 months ending in June, hires totaled 72.1 million and separations totaled 65.2 million, yielding a net employment gain of 6.9 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.