US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for August

On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of job openings was little changed in August at 7.1 million, with the job openings rate at 4.3%. Job openings changed little across all industries.

The number of hires was little changed at 5.1 million, representing a 3.3% rate. Total separations were little changed at 5.1 million, with a rate of 3.2%. Within separations, quits were unchanged at 3.1 million, or 1.9%, while layoffs and discharges were little changed at 1.6 million, or 1.0%. Other separations were essentially unchanged at 363,000.

By establishment size, the job openings rate decreased for businesses with 1–9 employees, while hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, and total separations rates showed little or no change. Establishments with 5,000 or more employees showed little or no change in job openings, hires, and separations rates.

Monthly Revisions

Revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.

Revisions to July estimates show job openings were revised up by 64,000 to 7.3 million. Hires were revised up by 92,000 to 5.1 million, while total separations were revised up by 56,000 to 5.1 million. Within separations, quits were revised up by 33,000 to 3.1 million, and layoffs and discharges were revised up by 36,000 to 1.7 million.