Mass Layoffs (Monthly) News Release — 2009-08-21

Employers took 2,157 mass layoff actions in July that resulted in the separation of 206,791 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in July decreased by 606 from the prior month, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 72,440. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events increased by 622, and associated initial claims increased by 54,292. In July, 621 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 72,266 initial claims. Over the year, the number of manu- facturing events increased by 166, and associated initial claims in- creased by 14,618.