Mass Layoffs (Monthly) News Release — 2009-11-20

Employers took 2,127 mass layoff actions in October that resulted in the separation of 217,182 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new fil- ings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in October decreased by 434 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims de- creased by 30,824. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events decreased by 77, and associated initial claims decreased by 13,148. Year-to-date mass layoff events (25,872) and initial claims (2,627,390) both recorded program highs. (Data begin in April 1995.) In October, 619 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 70,572 initial claims. Over the month, the number of manufacturing events de- creased by 237, and associated initial claims decreased by 26,494.