Extended Mass Layoffs In The First Quarter Of 2007 — 2007-05-16

In the first quarter of 2007, there were 965 mass layoff events that resulted in the separation of 139,269 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. The total number of layoff events was essentially unchanged from the January-March 2006 time period, while the number of separations was sharply lower. (See table A.) Over-the-year decreases in separations were largest in general merchandise stores, admin- istrative and support services, and transportation equipment manufacturing. Extended layoffs in the first quarter of 2007 averaged 144 separations, down significantly from 190 reported in the first quarter of 2006. Much of the decline reflects a reduction in layoffs involving 500 or more workers. Among the 7 categories of economic reasons for layoff, activity related to business demand factors accounted for the highest share of events (41 percent) and separations (50,621) in January-March 2007.