Extended Mass Layoffs In The Second Quarter Of 2002 — 2002-08-14

In the second quarter of 2002, 1,754 mass layoff actions were taken by employers that resulted in the separation of 392,338 workers from their jobs for at least 31 days, according to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the second consecutive quarter, both the total number of layoff events and the number of separations were lower than in the same quarter a year earlier. (See table A.) The decline was most notable in manufacturing industries. As is usual, the completion of seasonal work was the major reason cited for extended layoffs in the second quarter, accounting for 34 percent of all events and 162,487 separations. Permanent closure of worksites occurred in 15 percent of all events and affected 67,114 workers, down sharply from 136,597 workers in April-June 2001.