Extended Mass Layoffs In The Third Quarter Of 2003 — 2003-11-20

In the third quarter of 2003, 1,375 mass layoff actions were taken by employers that resulted in the separation of 268,020 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. Both the total number of layoff events and the number of separations were lower than in July-September 2002 and were the lowest for a third quarter since 2000. (See table A.) The decline from third quarter 2002 was most notable in computer and electronic product manufacturing, truck transportation, and general merchandise stores. The completion of seasonal work accounted for 22 percent of all events and 74,805 separations during the period--the lowest level for a third quar- ter since 1998. Layoffs due to internal company restructuring represented 22 percent of events and resulted in 57,727 separations, both lower than a year earlier.