US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for March

On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of job openings was little changed in March at 6.9 million, with the job openings rate steady at 4.1%.

The number of hires increased by 655,000 to 5.6 million, with the hires rate rising to 3.5%, more than offsetting decreases in February.

Total separations were little changed at 5.4 million, representing a 3.4% rate. Within separations, quits were flat at 3.2 million, or 2.0%. Layoffs and discharges were also steady at 1.9 million, or 1.2%. Other separations increased by 76,000 to 339,000.

By establishment size, businesses with 1–9 employees saw little or no change in job openings, hires, and separations rates. Among establishments with 5,000+ employees, job openings, hires, and quits rates changed little, while layoffs and discharges and total separations rates increased.

Monthly Revisions

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

The number of job openings for February was revised up by 40,000 to 6.9 million. Hires were revised up by 50,000 to 4.9 million, while total separations were revised up by 51,000 to 5.0 million. Within separations, quits were revised up by 72,000 to 3.0 million, and layoffs and discharges were revised down by 7,000 to 1.7 million.