For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 9, 2016 USDL-16-0271

Technical information: (202) 691-5870 • JoltsInfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/jlt

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER – DECEMBER 2015

The number of job openings increased to 5.6 million on the last business day of December, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires and separations were little changed at 5.4 million and

5.1 million, respectively. Within separations, the quits rate was 2.1 percent, and the layoffs and 

discharges rate was 1.1 percent. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, 

hires, and separations for the nonfarm sector by industry and by four geographic regions.

Job Openings

Job openings rose to 5.6 million in December. The job openings rate was 3.8 percent. The number of 

job openings increased in December for total private and was little changed for government. Job 

openings increased in construction (+69,000), nondurable goods manufacturing (+60,000), and durable 

goods manufacturing (+26,000). In the regions, job openings increased in the West over the month. (See 

table 1.)

The number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the 12 months ending in 

December for total nonfarm and total private, and edged up for government. Job openings rose in several 

industries over the year with the largest changes in health care and social assistance (+172,000) and 

finance and insurance (+99,000). The number of job openings increased over the year in the Northeast, 

Midwest, and West regions. (See table 7.)

 2.0

 2.2

 2.4

 2.6

 2.8

 3.0

 3.2

 3.4

 3.6

 3.8

 4.0

Dec-12 Mar-13 Jun-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Mar-15 Jun-15 Sep-15 Dec-15

Percent

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted, December 2012 - December 2015

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

Dec-12 Mar-13 Jun-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Mar-15 Jun-15 Sep-15 Dec-15

Hires

Separations

Percent

Chart 2. Hires and total separations rates, seasonally adjusted, December 2012 - December 2015
- 2 -

Hires

The number of hires was 5.4 million in December, little changed from November. The number of hires 

is now higher than in December 2007 (5.0 million), the first month of the recession. The hires rate was 

3.7 percent in December 2015. The number of hires was little changed for total private and government

in December. The number of hires edged up in professional and business services and was little changed 

in all other industries and in the regions. (See table 2.)

Over the 12 months ending in December, the number of hires (not seasonally adjusted) was little 

changed for total nonfarm and total private and edged up for government. At the industry level, hires 

increased in accommodation and food services (+93,000); transportation, warehousing, and utilities 

(+43,000); and federal government (+11,000). Hires edged down in construction. The number of hires 

was little changed in all four regions over the year. (See table 8.)

Separations

Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Total separations is 

referred to as turnover. 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 includes separations 

due to retirement, death, and disability, as well as transfers to other locations of the same firm.

There were 5.1 million total separations in December, little changed from November. The total 

separations rate was 3.5 percent. The number of total separations was little changed for total private and

government. In December, total separations edged up in accommodation and food services and in state 

and local government. The number of total separations was little changed in all four regions. (See table 

3.)

There were 3.1 million quits in December, up from November. The number of quits is now higher than 

in December 2007 (2.8 million), the first month of the recession. The quits rate was 2.1 percent in 

December 2015. The number of quits rose for total private and government over the month. Quits rose 

in state and local government (+20,000) but fell in nondurable goods manufacturing (-25,000). Quits 

increased in the South region over the month. (See table 4.)

The number of quits (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the 12 months ending in December for 

total nonfarm, total private, and government. Quits increased over the year in several industries with the 

largest changes occurring in professional and business services (+102,000), accommodation and food 

services (+68,000), and retail trade (+58,000). In the regions, quits rose in the South and Midwest. (See 

table 10.)

There were 1.6 million layoffs and discharges in December, little changed from November. The layoffs 

and discharges rate was 1.1 percent. The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed over the 

month for total private and unchanged for government. Layoffs and discharges was little changed in all 

four regions. (See table 5.) Seasonally adjusted estimates of layoffs and discharges are not available for 

individual industries.

The number of layoffs and discharges (not seasonally adjusted) decreased over the 12 months ending in 

December for total nonfarm and total private and edged up for government. The number of layoffs and 

discharges rose in mining and logging (+7,000) and fell in construction (-129,000) and retail trade
- 3 -

(-64,000). The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed in all four regions over the year. (See 

table 11.)

In December, there were 411,000 other separations for total nonfarm, little changed from November.

Over the month, the number of other separations was little changed for total private at 343,000 and for 

government at 68,000. (See table 6.) Seasonally adjusted estimates of other separations are not available 

for individual industries or regions.

Over the 12 months ending in December, the number of other separations (not seasonally adjusted) fell

for total nonfarm and total private and was little changed for government. Other separations increased

over the year in federal government (+7,000). Other separations decreased in the South region over the 

year. (See table 12.)

Net Change in Employment

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle. Net 

employment change results from the relationship between hires and separations. When the number of 

hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hires level is steady or declining. 

Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even 

if the hires level is steady or rising. Over the 12 months ending in December 2015, hires totaled 61.4

million and separations totaled 58.8 million, yielding a net employment gain of 2.6 million. These 

totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey results for January 2016 are scheduled to be 

released on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

Revisions to the JOLTS Data

With the release of January 2016 data on March 17, the BLS will revise the job openings, hires, 

and separations data to incorporate the annual updates to the Current Employment Statistics 

employment estimates and the JOLTS seasonal adjustment factors. Unadjusted data and seasonally 

adjusted data from December 2000 forward are subject to revision. Also effective with the release 

of January data, all data series will be available on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted

Category

Job openings Hires Total separations

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

LEVELS BY INDUSTRY

(in thousands)

Total nonfarm........................................ 4,877 5,346 5,607 5,239 5,256 5,361 4,901 4,962 5,072

Total private1...................................... 4,396 4,841 5,086 4,920 4,905 4,993 4,593 4,627 4,716

Construction.................................... 140 138 207 438 346 314 393 295 292

Manufacturing.................................. 310 279 365 276 273 272 253 274 270

Durable goods............................... 195 167 193 164 153 160 146 155 169

Nondurable goods........................... 115 112 172 112 121 113 108 119 101

Trade, transportation, and utilities2.......... 831 868 917 1,118 1,111 1,104 1,079 1,050 1,084

Retail trade................................... 516 508 564 787 772 770 767 751 754

Professional and business services......... 967 1,086 1,039 1,040 1,010 1,114 942 1,007 1,025

Education and health services3.............. 923 1,121 1,112 602 650 628 541 602 561

Health care and social assistance. . . . . . .. 837 1,027 1,016 528 549 545 470 505 488

Leisure and hospitality........................ 651 741 711 930 1,015 1,053 881 918 993

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. . . . . .. 65 69 76 137 132 151 131 124 139

Accommodation and food services. . . . . .. 586 672 635 793 883 902 750 795 854

Government4

...................................... 482 505 521 319 351 367 308 334 356

State and local................................. 409 426 437 289 307 322 280 292 316

RATES BY INDUSTRY

(percent)

Total nonfarm........................................ 3.4 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.5 3.5 3.5

Total private1

...................................... 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.1 4.1 4.1 3.9 3.8 3.9

Construction.................................... 2.2 2.1 3.1 7.0 5.3 4.8 6.3 4.5 4.5

Manufacturing.................................. 2.5 2.2 2.9 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.2

Durable goods............................... 2.4 2.1 2.4 2.1 2.0 2.1 1.9 2.0 2.2

Nondurable goods........................... 2.5 2.4 3.6 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.6 2.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities2

.......... 3.0 3.1 3.3 4.2 4.1 4.1 4.0 3.9 4.0

Retail trade................................... 3.2 3.1 3.5 5.1 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.8

Professional and business services......... 4.7 5.2 4.9 5.3 5.1 5.6 4.8 5.0 5.1

Education and health services3

.............. 4.1 4.8 4.7 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.7 2.5

Health care and social assistance. . . . . . .. 4.4 5.2 5.1 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.6 2.7 2.6

Leisure and hospitality........................ 4.2 4.6 4.4 6.2 6.6 6.9 5.9 6.0 6.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. . . . . .. 3.0 3.0 3.4 6.4 6.0 6.9 6.1 5.6 6.3

Accommodation and food services. . . . . .. 4.4 4.9 4.6 6.2 6.7 6.8 5.9 6.0 6.5

Government4...................................... 2.2 2.2 2.3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.4 1.5 1.6

State and local................................. 2.1 2.2 2.2 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.6

1

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

2

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

3

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

4

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

p Preliminary
Technical Note

This news release presents statistics from the Job 

Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects and compiles 

JOLTS data monthly from a sample of nonfarm 

establishments. A more detailed discussion of JOLTS 

concepts and methodology is available online at

www.bls.gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch18.pdf.

Coverage and collection

The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm establishments, as well as federal, state, and local government 

entities in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data 

are collected for total employment, job openings, hires, 

quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total 

separations.

Concepts

Industry classification. The industry classifications in 

this release are in accordance with the 2012 version of the 

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Employment. Employment includes persons on the 

payroll who worked or received pay for the pay period 

that includes the 12th day of the reference month. Fulltime, part-time, permanent, short-term, seasonal, salaried, 

and hourly employees are included, as are employees on 

paid vacations or other paid leave. Proprietors or partners 

of unincorporated businesses, unpaid family workers, or 

persons on leave without pay or on strike for the entire 

pay period, are not counted as employed. Employees of 

temporary help agencies, employee leasing companies, 

outside contractors, and consultants are counted by their 

employer of record, not by the establishment where they 

are working.

Job openings. Job openings information is collected for 

the last business day of the reference month. A job 

opening requires that: 1) a specific position exists and 

there is work available for that position, 2) work could 

start within 30 days whether or not the employer found a 

suitable candidate, and 3) the employer is actively 

recruiting from outside the establishment to fill the 

position. Included are full-time, part-time, permanent, 

short-term, and seasonal openings. Active recruiting 

means that the establishment is taking steps to fill a 

position by advertising in newspapers or on the Internet, 

posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or 

using other similar methods.

Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers, promotions, 

demotions, or recall from layoffs are excluded. Also 

excluded are jobs with start dates more than 30 days in 

the future, jobs for which employees have been hired but 

have not yet reported for work, and jobs to be filled by 

employees of temporary help agencies, employee leasing 

companies, outside contractors, or consultants. The job 

openings rate is computed by dividing the number of job 

openings by the sum of employment and job openings and 

multiplying that quotient by 100.

Hires. The hires level is the total number of additions to 

the payroll occurring at any time during the reference 

month, including both new and rehired employees, fulltime and part-time, permanent, short-term and seasonal 

employees, employees recalled to the location after a 

layoff lasting more than 7 days, on-call or intermittent 

employees who returned to work after having been 

formally separated, and transfers from other locations. 

The hires count does not include transfers or promotions 

within the reporting site, employees returning from strike, 

employees of temporary help agencies or employee 

leasing companies, outside contractors, or consultants. 

The hires rate is computed by dividing the number of 

hires by employment and multiplying that quotient by 

100.

Separations. The separations level is the total number of 

employment terminations occurring at any time during the 

reference month, and is reported by type of separation—

quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. 

(Some respondents are only able to report total 

separations.) The quits count includes voluntary 

separations by employees (except for retirements, which 

are reported as other separations). The layoffs and 

discharges count is comprised of involuntary separations 

initiated by the employer and includes layoffs with no 

intent to rehire; formal layoffs lasting or expected to last 

more than 7 days; discharges resulting from mergers, 

downsizing, or closings; firings or other discharges for 

cause; terminations of permanent or short-term 

employees; and terminations of seasonal employees. The 

other separations count includes retirements, transfers to 

other locations, deaths, and separations due to disability. 

The separations count does not include transfers within 

the same location or employees on strike. The separations 

rate is computed by dividing the number of separations by 

employment and multiplying that quotient by 100. The 

quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations rates 

are computed similarly.

Annual estimates. Annual levels for hires, quits, layoffs 

and discharges, other separations, and total separations 

are the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. Annual 

rates are computed by dividing the annual level by the 

Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average 

employment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100. 

This figure will be approximately equal to the sum of the 

12 monthly rates. Consistent with BLS practice, annual 

estimates are published only for not seasonally adjusted 

data and are released with the January news release each 

year. Annual estimates are not calculated for job openings 

because job openings are a stock, or point-in-time, 

measurement for the last business day of each month.
Sample and estimation methodology

The JOLTS survey design is a stratified random sample of 

16,000 nonfarm business and government establishments. 

The sample is stratified by ownership, region, industry 

sector, and establishment size class. The establishments 

are drawn from a universe of over 9.1 million 

establishments compiled by the Quarterly Census of 

Employment and Wages (QCEW) program which

includes all employers subject to state unemployment 

insurance laws and federal agencies subject to the 

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees

program.

JOLTS total employment estimates are benchmarked, or 

ratio adjusted, monthly to the strike-adjusted employment 

estimates of the CES survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS 

employment is used to adjust the levels for all other 

JOLTS data elements.

JOLTS business birth/death model

As with any sample survey, the JOLTS sample can only 

be as current as its sampling frame. The time lag from the 

birth of an establishment until its appearance on the 

sampling frame is approximately one year. In addition, 

many of these new units may fail within the first year. 

Since these universe units cannot be reflected on the 

sampling frame immediately, the JOLTS sample cannot 

capture job openings, hires, and separations from these 

units during their early existence. To compensate for the 

inability to capture data from these establishments, BLS 

has developed a birth/death model that uses birth and 

death activity from previous years. The estimates of job 

openings, hires, and separations produced by the 

birth/death model are added to the sample-based estimates 

produced from the survey to arrive at the estimates for 

openings, hires, and separations.

Seasonal adjustment

BLS uses X-13 ARIMA to seasonally adjust several 

JOLTS series utilizing moving averages as seasonal 

filters. A concurrent seasonal adjustment methodology is 

used in which new seasonal adjustment factors are 

calculated each month, using all relevant data, up to and 

including current month data. JOLTS seasonal adjustment 

includes both additive and multiplicative models and 

REGARIMA (regression with auto-correlated errors) 

modeling to improve the seasonal adjustment factors at 

the beginning and end of the series and to detect and 

adjust for outliers in the series.

Alignment procedure

The JOLTS measures for hires minus separations can be 

used to derive a measure of net employment change. This 

change should be comparable to the net employment 

change from the much larger CES survey. However, 

definitional differences as well as sampling and nonsampling errors between the two surveys historically 

caused JOLTS to diverge from CES over time. To limit 

the divergence, and improve the quality of the JOLTS 

hires and separations series, BLS implemented the 

Monthly Alignment Method.

This method applies the CES employment trends to the 

seasonally adjusted JOLTS implied employment trend 

(hires minus separations) forcing them to be 

approximately the same, while preserving the seasonality 

of the JOLTS data. First, the two series are seasonally 

adjusted and the difference between the JOLTS implied 

employment change and the CES net employment change 

is calculated. Next, the JOLTS implied employment 

change is adjusted to equal the CES net employment 

change through a proportional adjustment. This procedure 

adjusts the two components (hires, separations) 

proportionally to their contribution to the total churn 

(hires plus separations). The adjusted hires and 

separations are converted back to not seasonally adjusted 

data by reversing the application of the original seasonal 

factors. After the Monthly Alignment Method has been 

used to adjust the level estimates, rate estimates are 

computed from the adjusted levels. 

Reliability of the estimates

JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and 

nonsampling error. When a sample is surveyed rather than 

the entire population, there is a chance that the sample 

estimates may differ from the "true" population values 

they represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, 

varies depending on the particular sample selected, and 

this variability is measured by the standard error of the 

estimate. BLS analysis is generally conducted at the 90-

percent level of confidence. That means that there is a 90-

percent chance, or level of confidence, that an estimate 

based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 

standard errors from the "true" population value because 

of sampling error. Sampling error estimates are available

at www.bls.gov/jlt/jolts_median_standard_errors.htm.

The JOLTS estimates also are affected by non-sampling 

error. Nonsampling error can occur for many reasons, 

including the failure to include a segment of the 

population, the inability to obtain data from all units in 

the sample, the inability or unwillingness of respondents 

to provide data on a timely basis, mistakes made by 

respondents, errors made in the collection or processing 

of the data, and errors from the employment benchmark 

data used in estimation.

Other information

Information in this release will be made available to 

sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 

(202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Table 1. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 4,877 5,377 5,534 5,349 5,346 5,607 3.4 3.6 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.8

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 4,396 4,880 5,041 4,859 4,841 5,086 3.6 3.9 4.0 3.9 3.8 4.0

Construction................................ 140 136 119 121 138 207 2.2 2.1 1.8 1.8 2.1 3.1

Manufacturing.............................. 310 333 315 310 279 365 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.9

Durable goods........................... 195 215 199 183 167 193 2.4 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.1 2.4

Nondurable goods....................... 115 117 116 127 112 172 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.4 3.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. 831 973 1,019 990 868 917 3.0 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.1 3.3

Retail trade............................... 516 607 654 596 508 564 3.2 3.7 4.0 3.6 3.1 3.5

Professional and business services. . . .. 967 1,039 1,204 1,042 1,086 1,039 4.7 5.0 5.7 5.0 5.2 4.9

Education and health services6

.......... 923 996 1,077 1,052 1,121 1,112 4.1 4.3 4.6 4.5 4.8 4.7

Health care and social assistance. . .. 837 905 988 952 1,027 1,016 4.4 4.6 5.0 4.8 5.2 5.1

Leisure and hospitality.................... 651 735 696 728 741 711 4.2 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.4

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. 65 46 53 53 69 76 3.0 2.1 2.4 2.4 3.0 3.4

Accommodation and food services. .. 586 689 643 675 672 635 4.4 5.0 4.7 4.9 4.9 4.6

Government7.................................. 482 497 493 490 505 521 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3

State and local............................. 409 425 429 424 426 437 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2

REGION8

Northeast...................................... 817 837 890 893 946 972 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.4 3.5

South........................................... 1,902 2,103 2,129 2,039 2,141 2,086 3.6 3.9 4.0 3.8 4.0 3.9

Midwest........................................ 1,086 1,213 1,246 1,265 1,157 1,215 3.3 3.7 3.7 3.8 3.5 3.6

West............................................ 1,072 1,223 1,269 1,152 1,101 1,335 3.3 3.7 3.8 3.5 3.3 4.0

1

Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 2. Hires levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 5,239 5,081 5,080 5,168 5,256 5,361 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.7

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 4,920 4,737 4,750 4,821 4,905 4,993 4.1 3.9 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.1

Construction................................ 438 332 317 319 346 314 7.0 5.2 4.9 4.9 5.3 4.8

Manufacturing.............................. 276 267 282 265 273 272 2.2 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2

Durable goods........................... 164 166 176 150 153 160 2.1 2.1 2.3 1.9 2.0 2.1

Nondurable goods....................... 112 102 106 115 121 113 2.5 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.5

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. 1,118 1,081 1,059 1,065 1,111 1,104 4.2 4.0 3.9 3.9 4.1 4.1

Retail trade............................... 787 759 734 749 772 770 5.1 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.9

Professional and business services. . . .. 1,040 986 1,036 1,050 1,010 1,114 5.3 5.0 5.2 5.3 5.1 5.6

Education and health services6

.......... 602 589 603 631 650 628 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.8

Health care and social assistance. . .. 528 511 525 549 549 545 2.9 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9

Leisure and hospitality.................... 930 998 951 980 1,015 1,053 6.2 6.6 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.9

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. 137 138 131 156 132 151 6.4 6.4 6.0 7.1 6.0 6.9

Accommodation and food services. .. 793 860 820 825 883 902 6.2 6.6 6.3 6.3 6.7 6.8

Government7.................................. 319 344 330 348 351 367 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.7

State and local............................. 289 308 297 308 307 322 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.7

REGION8

Northeast...................................... 819 847 807 840 865 845 3.1 3.2 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.2

South........................................... 2,072 2,016 2,047 1,966 1,980 2,040 4.1 3.9 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.9

Midwest........................................ 1,170 1,082 1,120 1,172 1,200 1,268 3.7 3.4 3.5 3.7 3.7 3.9

West............................................ 1,177 1,137 1,107 1,191 1,211 1,208 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.7 3.8 3.7

1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 3. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 4,901 4,886 4,886 4,901 4,962 5,072 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.5

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 4,593 4,566 4,569 4,537 4,627 4,716 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.9

Construction................................ 393 310 311 273 295 292 6.3 4.9 4.9 4.2 4.5 4.5

Manufacturing.............................. 253 276 275 267 274 270 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2

Durable goods........................... 146 172 170 150 155 169 1.9 2.2 2.2 1.9 2.0 2.2

Nondurable goods....................... 108 104 105 118 119 101 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. 1,079 1,054 1,033 990 1,050 1,084 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.9 4.0

Retail trade............................... 767 761 734 705 751 754 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.5 4.8 4.8

Professional and business services. . . .. 942 928 971 1,005 1,007 1,025 4.8 4.7 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.1

Education and health services6

.......... 541 540 537 585 602 561 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.5

Health care and social assistance. . .. 470 456 463 497 505 488 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.6

Leisure and hospitality.................... 881 967 937 921 918 993 5.9 6.4 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. 131 144 132 146 124 139 6.1 6.7 6.0 6.7 5.6 6.3

Accommodation and food services. .. 750 823 805 775 795 854 5.9 6.3 6.2 5.9 6.0 6.5

Government7.................................. 308 319 317 364 334 356 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.6

State and local............................. 280 285 283 323 292 316 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.6

REGION8

Northeast...................................... 844 814 792 737 809 833 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.1

South........................................... 1,989 1,918 1,938 1,965 1,936 2,018 3.9 3.7 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.9

Midwest........................................ 976 1,075 1,060 1,100 1,119 1,118 3.1 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.5

West............................................ 1,092 1,078 1,095 1,099 1,098 1,102 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4

1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 4. Quits levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 2,715 2,771 2,727 2,784 2,859 3,055 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 2,572 2,618 2,582 2,620 2,710 2,886 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.4

Construction................................ 144 106 121 85 132 145 2.3 1.7 1.9 1.3 2.0 2.2

Manufacturing.............................. 135 143 148 145 146 129 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.0

Durable goods........................... 77 80 89 75 72 80 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.0

Nondurable goods....................... 58 63 58 71 74 49 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.6 1.6 1.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. 650 609 620 626 630 706 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.6

Retail trade............................... 459 450 450 461 481 514 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.0 3.3

Professional and business services. . . .. 444 516 487 519 510 548 2.3 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.7

Education and health services6

.......... 336 363 343 372 397 388 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.7 1.8 1.7

Health care and social assistance. . .. 297 321 305 332 346 339 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8

Leisure and hospitality.................... 588 638 613 597 636 666 3.9 4.2 4.0 3.9 4.1 4.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. 49 68 55 54 49 57 2.3 3.2 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.6

Accommodation and food services. .. 540 569 557 543 587 609 4.2 4.4 4.3 4.1 4.5 4.6

Government7.................................. 144 153 144 164 149 169 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8

State and local............................. 133 141 132 151 136 156 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8

REGION8

Northeast...................................... 422 397 392 374 414 424 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.6

South........................................... 1,169 1,198 1,126 1,140 1,131 1,276 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.5

Midwest........................................ 528 593 618 643 686 700 1.7 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2

West............................................ 596 584 590 627 629 655 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0

1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 5. Layoffs and discharges levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 1,725 1,725 1,786 1,703 1,686 1,607 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 1,623 1,616 1,686 1,580 1,567 1,487 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2

Construction................................ – – – – – – – – – – – –

Manufacturing.............................. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Durable goods........................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Nondurable goods....................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Retail trade............................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Professional and business services. . . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Education and health services6

.......... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Health care and social assistance. . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Leisure and hospitality.................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Accommodation and food services. .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Government7.................................. 102 109 100 123 119 119 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5

State and local............................. – – – – – – – – – – – –

REGION8

Northeast...................................... 355 353 326 286 323 324 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2

South........................................... 617 569 660 648 625 593 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1

Midwest........................................ 358 404 380 375 346 337 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.0

West............................................ 394 399 421 394 391 352 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1

1

Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary

- Data not available.
Table 6. Other separations levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands)2 Rates3

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2015

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.................................... 461 389 373 414 417 411 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

INDUSTRY

Total private4

.................................. 399 332 301 337 351 343 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3

Construction................................ – – – – – – – – – – – –

Manufacturing.............................. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Durable goods........................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Nondurable goods....................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Trade, transportation, and utilities5

. . . . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Retail trade............................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Professional and business services. . . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Education and health services6

.......... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Health care and social assistance. . .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Leisure and hospitality.................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Arts, entertainment, and recreation. .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Accommodation and food services. .. – – – – – – – – – – – –

Government7.................................. 62 57 73 77 66 68 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3

State and local............................. – – – – – – – – – – – –

REGION8

Northeast...................................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

South........................................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

Midwest........................................ – – – – – – – – – – – –

West............................................ – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month.

2 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series and because not all series are shown.

3 The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

4

Includes mining and logging, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

5

Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not shown separately.

6

Includes educational services, not shown separately.

7

Includes federal government, not shown separately.

8 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary

- Data not available.
Table 7. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 4,373 4,869 4,984 3.0 3.3 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 3,913 4,414 4,493 3.2 3.5 3.6

Mining and logging............................................... 19 17 18 2.1 2.1 2.2

Construction....................................................... 97 98 140 1.5 1.5 2.1

Manufacturing..................................................... 275 248 331 2.2 2.0 2.6

Durable goods.................................................. 176 147 177 2.2 1.9 2.2

Nondurable goods............................................. 99 101 154 2.1 2.2 3.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 707 781 770 2.5 2.8 2.7

Wholesale trade................................................ 152 123 156 2.5 2.0 2.6

Retail trade..................................................... 411 455 453 2.5 2.7 2.7

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 144 203 161 2.6 3.6 2.8

Information........................................................ 96 63 114 3.3 2.2 3.9

Financial activities................................................ 244 318 361 2.9 3.7 4.2

Finance and insurance........................................ 191 276 290 3.1 4.3 4.5

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 53 42 72 2.5 2.0 3.3

Professional and business services............................ 927 1,053 967 4.5 5.0 4.6

Education and health services.................................. 871 1,048 1,053 3.8 4.4 4.5

Educational services.......................................... 78 90 87 2.2 2.4 2.4

Health care and social assistance........................... 793 958 965 4.1 4.8 4.9

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 527 662 559 3.5 4.2 3.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 48 57 56 2.4 2.7 2.7

Accommodation and food services.......................... 478 605 503 3.7 4.4 3.7

Other services.................................................... 149 126 181 2.6 2.2 3.1

Government.......................................................... 460 456 491 2.0 2.0 2.1

Federal............................................................. 70 70 82 2.5 2.5 2.9

State and local.................................................... 390 386 409 2.0 1.9 2.0

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 700 863 861 2.6 3.1 3.1

South................................................................. 1,746 1,908 1,885 3.3 3.5 3.5

Midwest............................................................... 1,000 1,090 1,089 3.0 3.3 3.3

West.................................................................. 926 1,008 1,149 2.8 3.0 3.4

1

Job openings are the number of job openings on the last business day of the month.

2 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 8. Hires levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 3,750 4,877 3,898 2.7 3.4 2.7

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 3,549 4,601 3,667 3.0 3.8 3.0

Mining and logging............................................... 21 20 22 2.3 2.5 2.8

Construction....................................................... 252 263 179 4.1 4.0 2.8

Manufacturing..................................................... 181 230 181 1.5 1.9 1.5

Durable goods.................................................. 108 129 107 1.4 1.7 1.4

Nondurable goods............................................. 73 102 74 1.6 2.2 1.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 884 1,421 902 3.2 5.2 3.2

Wholesale trade................................................ 117 108 93 2.0 1.8 1.6

Retail trade..................................................... 583 1,051 583 3.6 6.5 3.6

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 183 262 226 3.4 4.8 4.1

Information........................................................ 62 68 58 2.2 2.4 2.0

Financial activities................................................ 170 185 160 2.1 2.3 2.0

Finance and insurance........................................ 130 124 107 2.2 2.0 1.8

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 40 61 53 1.9 2.9 2.5

Professional and business services............................ 783 917 845 4.0 4.6 4.2

Education and health services.................................. 433 525 449 2.0 2.3 2.0

Educational services.......................................... 38 66 40 1.1 1.8 1.1

Health care and social assistance........................... 395 459 410 2.2 2.4 2.2

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 641 819 744 4.4 5.4 5.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 94 96 104 4.8 4.7 5.1

Accommodation and food services.......................... 547 723 640 4.3 5.6 4.9

Other services.................................................... 122 153 126 2.2 2.7 2.2

Government.......................................................... 201 276 231 0.9 1.2 1.0

Federal............................................................. 25 54 36 0.9 2.0 1.3

State and local.................................................... 176 222 195 0.9 1.1 1.0

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 588 783 610 2.2 2.9 2.3

South................................................................. 1,486 1,829 1,491 2.9 3.5 2.9

Midwest............................................................... 825 1,122 919 2.6 3.5 2.8

West.................................................................. 851 1,144 877 2.7 3.5 2.7

1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month.

2 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 9. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 4,628 4,306 4,699 3.3 3.0 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 4,357 4,080 4,391 3.7 3.4 3.6

Mining and logging............................................... 33 30 43 3.6 3.7 5.5

Construction....................................................... 438 294 311 7.1 4.5 4.8

Manufacturing..................................................... 216 232 235 1.8 1.9 1.9

Durable goods.................................................. 124 131 146 1.6 1.7 1.9

Nondurable goods............................................. 92 101 88 2.0 2.2 1.9

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 1,128 913 1,117 4.1 3.3 4.0

Wholesale trade................................................ 122 114 104 2.1 1.9 1.8

Retail trade..................................................... 823 658 786 5.1 4.1 4.8

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 184 141 227 3.4 2.6 4.1

Information........................................................ 67 69 51 2.4 2.5 1.8

Financial activities................................................ 201 164 180 2.5 2.0 2.2

Finance and insurance........................................ 161 109 123 2.7 1.8 2.0

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 41 55 57 2.0 2.6 2.7

Professional and business services............................ 926 923 988 4.7 4.6 4.9

Education and health services.................................. 462 460 477 2.1 2.0 2.1

Educational services.......................................... 52 55 52 1.5 1.5 1.4

Health care and social assistance........................... 409 406 425 2.2 2.1 2.2

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 743 847 851 5.1 5.6 5.7

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 100 133 105 5.1 6.5 5.2

Accommodation and food services.......................... 644 713 746 5.1 5.5 5.7

Other services.................................................... 142 148 139 2.5 2.6 2.4

Government.......................................................... 271 226 307 1.2 1.0 1.4

Federal............................................................. 27 37 37 1.0 1.4 1.3

State and local.................................................... 243 189 270 1.2 1.0 1.4

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 834 705 825 3.2 2.6 3.1

South................................................................. 1,802 1,609 1,801 3.5 3.1 3.4

Midwest............................................................... 972 1,040 1,056 3.1 3.2 3.3

West.................................................................. 1,020 952 1,018 3.2 2.9 3.1

1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire month.

2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 10. Quits levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 2,211 2,364 2,556 1.6 1.6 1.8

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 2,100 2,259 2,426 1.8 1.9 2.0

Mining and logging............................................... 10 15 13 1.1 1.9 1.7

Construction....................................................... 99 88 109 1.6 1.3 1.7

Manufacturing..................................................... 96 112 92 0.8 0.9 0.7

Durable goods.................................................. 53 54 57 0.7 0.7 0.7

Nondurable goods............................................. 43 58 36 0.9 1.3 0.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 566 540 639 2.1 2.0 2.3

Wholesale trade................................................ 69 55 53 1.2 0.9 0.9

Retail trade..................................................... 416 413 474 2.6 2.6 2.9

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 81 72 113 1.5 1.3 2.0

Information........................................................ 31 33 27 1.1 1.2 0.9

Financial activities................................................ 87 71 106 1.1 0.9 1.3

Finance and insurance........................................ 64 47 72 1.1 0.8 1.2

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 23 24 35 1.1 1.2 1.7

Professional and business services............................ 385 453 487 2.0 2.3 2.4

Education and health services.................................. 272 316 315 1.2 1.4 1.4

Educational services.......................................... 25 31 34 0.7 0.8 0.9

Health care and social assistance........................... 247 284 282 1.3 1.5 1.5

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 472 540 547 3.2 3.6 3.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 35 35 42 1.8 1.7 2.1

Accommodation and food services.......................... 437 504 505 3.5 3.9 3.9

Other services.................................................... 81 91 89 1.4 1.6 1.6

Government.......................................................... 111 105 130 0.5 0.5 0.6

Federal............................................................. 10 11 10 0.3 0.4 0.4

State and local.................................................... 101 94 119 0.5 0.5 0.6

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 337 329 356 1.3 1.2 1.3

South................................................................. 953 929 1,062 1.9 1.8 2.0

Midwest............................................................... 430 587 581 1.4 1.8 1.8

West.................................................................. 492 519 556 1.5 1.6 1.7

1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month.

2 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 11. Layoffs and discharges levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 1,976 1,616 1,759 1.4 1.1 1.2

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 1,882 1,538 1,648 1.6 1.3 1.4

Mining and logging............................................... 20 11 27 2.2 1.5 3.5

Construction....................................................... 323 200 194 5.2 3.0 3.0

Manufacturing..................................................... 101 106 114 0.8 0.9 0.9

Durable goods.................................................. 59 67 70 0.8 0.9 0.9

Nondurable goods............................................. 42 38 44 0.9 0.8 1.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 451 275 394 1.6 1.0 1.4

Wholesale trade................................................ 47 46 41 0.8 0.8 0.7

Retail trade..................................................... 317 176 253 2.0 1.1 1.6

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 87 53 100 1.6 1.0 1.8

Information........................................................ 28 28 14 1.0 1.0 0.5

Financial activities................................................ 60 54 51 0.7 0.7 0.6

Finance and insurance........................................ 48 26 30 0.8 0.4 0.5

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 12 27 20 0.6 1.3 1.0

Professional and business services............................ 462 421 420 2.4 2.1 2.1

Education and health services.................................. 147 110 125 0.7 0.5 0.6

Educational services.......................................... 23 18 15 0.6 0.5 0.4

Health care and social assistance........................... 124 92 110 0.7 0.5 0.6

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 240 284 265 1.6 1.9 1.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 60 93 62 3.1 4.6 3.0

Accommodation and food services.......................... 180 191 203 1.4 1.5 1.6

Other services.................................................... 50 49 43 0.9 0.9 0.8

Government.......................................................... 93 78 111 0.4 0.3 0.5

Federal............................................................. 7 11 8 0.2 0.4 0.3

State and local.................................................... 86 67 103 0.4 0.3 0.5

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 439 330 393 1.7 1.2 1.5

South................................................................. 649 533 599 1.3 1.0 1.1

Midwest............................................................... 459 386 400 1.4 1.2 1.2

West.................................................................. 429 367 367 1.3 1.1 1.1

1

Layoffs and discharges are the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month.

2 The layoffs and discharges rate is the number of layoffs and discharges during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary
Table 12. Other separations levels and rates by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted1

Industry and region

Levels (in thousands) Rates2

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Dec.

2014

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015p

Total nonfarm.......................................................... 441 326 384 0.3 0.2 0.3

INDUSTRY

Total private.......................................................... 374 283 318 0.3 0.2 0.3

Mining and logging............................................... 2 3 3 0.2 0.4 0.4

Construction....................................................... 16 7 8 0.3 0.1 0.1

Manufacturing..................................................... 19 14 28 0.2 0.1 0.2

Durable goods.................................................. 12 10 20 0.1 0.1 0.3

Nondurable goods............................................. 7 4 8 0.2 0.1 0.2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 111 97 83 0.4 0.4 0.3

Wholesale trade................................................ 5 13 11 0.1 0.2 0.2

Retail trade..................................................... 90 68 59 0.6 0.4 0.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities.................. 16 17 14 0.3 0.3 0.3

Information........................................................ 8 7 9 0.3 0.3 0.3

Financial activities................................................ 54 40 23 0.7 0.5 0.3

Finance and insurance........................................ 49 36 21 0.8 0.6 0.3

Real estate and rental and leasing.......................... 6 4 2 0.3 0.2 0.1

Professional and business services............................ 79 49 81 0.4 0.2 0.4

Education and health services.................................. 43 35 36 0.2 0.2 0.2

Educational services.......................................... 4 5 3 0.1 0.1 0.1

Health care and social assistance........................... 39 30 33 0.2 0.2 0.2

Leisure and hospitality........................................... 31 23 39 0.2 0.1 0.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation.......................... 4 5 1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Accommodation and food services.......................... 26 18 38 0.2 0.1 0.3

Other services.................................................... 11 8 6 0.2 0.1 0.1

Government.......................................................... 66 43 67 0.3 0.2 0.3

Federal............................................................. 11 16 18 0.4 0.6 0.7

State and local.................................................... 55 28 48 0.3 0.1 0.2

REGION3

Northeast............................................................. 58 45 75 0.2 0.2 0.3

South................................................................. 200 147 140 0.4 0.3 0.3

Midwest............................................................... 83 68 75 0.3 0.2 0.2

West.................................................................. 99 66 94 0.3 0.2 0.3

1 Other separations are the number of other separations during the entire month.

2 The other separations rate is the number of other separations during the entire month as a percent of total employment.

3 The states (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Midwest:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

p Preliminary

NOTE: Levels are rounded to the nearest thousand and rates are rounded to the nearest tenth. Levels and rates may round down to zero.