The labor remained strong as the number of job openings was little changed at 7.1 million in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Hires changed little at 5.2 million, while total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million. Within separations, quits (3.1 million) were unchanged, while layoffs and discharges (1.6 million) were essentially unchanged.
This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.
The number and rate of job openings were little changed at 7.1 million and 4.3%, respectively, in August. Job openings changed little in all industries. The number of hires at 5.2 million changed little over the month and year. The hires rate was 3.3% in August. Hires changed little in all industries.
Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations include separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm. In August, the number and rate of total separations were unchanged at 5.1 million and 3.2%, respectively.
