1

Technical information: (202) 691-5870

 http://www.bls.gov/jlt/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 08-0044

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Chart 1. Job openings rate, seasonally adjusted,

 December 2004 - November 2007

1.5

1.7

1.9

2.1

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.3

3.5

3.7

3.9

Percent

2005 2006 2007

Chart 2. Hires and separations rates, seasonally adjusted,

 December 2004 - November 2007

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.3

3.5

3.7

3.9

Percent

Separations

Hires

2005 2006 2007

JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER: NOVEMBER 2007

On the last business day of November, there were 4.0 million job openings in the United States, and the

job openings rate was 2.8 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported

today. The job openings, hires, and total separations rates were all essentially unchanged in November. This

release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm

sector by industry and geographic region.

Although month-to-month changes in job openings, hires, and turnover data are often small, some overthe-year changes are significant. From November 2006 to November 2007, the job openings, hires, quits,

and total separations rates all fell significantly for total nonfarm and total private employment. (See tables 5,

6, 7, and 8.)

Job Openings

In November, the job openings rate remained at 2.8 percent. Job openings include only those jobs open

on the last business day of the month. Over the month, the job openings rate rose in retail trade and fell in

accommodation and food services. The job openings rate did not change significantly in any region in November. As occurs nearly every month, the seasonally adjusted job openings rate was highest in November

in the accommodation and food services industry (4.0 percent). (See table 1.)

Over the year, the job openings rate rose significantly only in federal government (to 1.4 percent). The

rate fell over the year in natural resources and mining (1.0 percent), durable goods manufacturing (1.7 percent), information (2.6 percent), arts, entertainment, and recreation (2.7 percent), and state and local

News

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212

United States

Department 

of Labor
2

 1 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.

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

 3 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

 4 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

 p = preliminary.

 Job openings

Industry

Table A. Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally adjusted

Hires Total separations

p

Levels (in thousands)

Rates (percent)

p

Nov.

2006

Oct.

2007

Nov.

2007

Nov.

2006

Oct.

2007

Nov.

2007

Nov.

2006

Oct.

2007

Nov.

2007 p

Total ...................................................................... 4,200 4,059 4,021 4,994 4,870 4,650 4,844 4,639 4,541

Total private ...................................................... 3,735 3,597 3,571 4,665 4,507 4,277 4,543 4,376 4,259

Construction ...................................................... 106 155 142 395 334 351 413 359 338

Manufacturing ................................................... 328 304 305 363 407 367 360 408 393

Trade, transportation, and utilities .............. 671 598 639 1,012 1,034 913 1,020 1,007 980

 Retail trade ...................................................... 417 298 357 737 709 628 719 703 697

Professional and business services ............... 705 730 724 1,010 840 894 974 888 843

Education and health services ........................ 713 701 715 492 514 523 430 428 423

Leisure and hospitality ................................. 625 653 560 903 916 836 838 803 809

Accommodation and food services ........... 528 590 488 748 796 702 721 686 682

 Government ..................................................... 463 465 453 348 377 359 305 289 287

 State and local government ............................ 427 414 407 303 313 290 256 237 238

Total ........................................................................ 3.0 2.8 2.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.3

 Total private .................................................... 3.1 3.0 3.0 4.1 3.9 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.7

Construction ...................................................... 1.4 2.0 1.8 5.1 4.4 4.6 5.4 4.7 4.5

Manufacturing ................................................... 2.3 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.9 2.6 2.5 2.9 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities ............. 2.5 2.2 2.4 3.8 3.9 3.4 3.9 3.8 3.7

 Retail trade ...................................................... 2.7 1.9 2.3 4.8 4.6 4.1 4.7 4.6 4.5

Professional and business services ............... 3.8 3.9 3.9 5.7 4.7 5.0 5.5 4.9 4.7

Education and health services ........................ 3.8 3.6 3.7 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.4 2.3 2.3

Leisure and hospitality ................................ 4.5 4.6 3.9 6.8 6.7 6.1 6.3 5.9 5.9

Accommodation and food services ........... 4.4 4.8 4.0 6.6 6.8 6.0 6.3 5.9 5.8

 Government .................................................... 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3

 State and local government ............................ 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.2

1

3

4

1

1

2

2

3

government (1.9 percent). Regionally, the job openings rate fell over the year in the Northeast (2.2 percent)

and in the West (2.7 percent). (See table 5.)

Hires

The hires rate was little changed at 3.4 percent in November. Hires are any additions to the payroll

during the month. In November, the hires rate decreased in retail trade, in accommodation and food services, and in the West region. The hires rate did not increase significantly in November in any industry or

region. As occurs nearly every month, the seasonally adjusted hires rate was highest in November in accommodation and food services (6.0 percent). (See table 2.)

From November 2006 to November 2007, the hires rate decreased over the year in retail trade (to 4.9

percent), information (1.5 percent), the South region (3.3 percent), and the West region (3.1 percent). The

hires rate did not increase significantly in any industry or region over the year. (See table 6.)

4

1
3

Separations

The total separations, or turnover, rate was essentially unchanged at 3.3 percent in November.

Separations are terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. Over the month, the

separations rate did not change significantly in any industry or region. (See table 3 .) From November 2006

to November 2007, the total separations rate decreased in construction (to 4.6 percent), in federal

government (0.8 percent), and in the South region (2.9 percent). The separations rate did not increase

significantly in any industry or region over the year. (See table 7.)

Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations),

and other separations (including retirements). The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers’

ability to change jobs, fell slightly from 1.9 percent in October to 1.8 percent in November. The quits rate

fell over the month in professional and business services, and in the South and West regions. As has

occurred every month since the series began in December 2000, the seasonally adjusted quits rate was

highest in November in the accommodation and food services industry (4.3 percent). (See table 4.)

Over the year, the quits rate did not rise significantly in any industry but did fall in several industries,

including wholesale trade (to 0.8 percent), retail trade (2.4 percent), professional and business services (2.0

percent), and federal government (0.3 percent). Geographically, the quits rate fell over the year in 3 of the 4

regions—Northeast (1.2 percent), South (1.6 percent), and West (1.6 percent). (See table 8.)

The other two components of total separations—layoffs and discharges, and other separations—are not

seasonally adjusted. For November, the layoffs and discharges rate (1.3 percent) and level (1.8 million)

were little changed from a year earlier. The layoffs and discharges rate in November 2007 was highest in

arts, entertainment, and recreation (6.0 percent). (See table 9.) The other separations rate (0.2 percent) and

level (252,000) were essentially unchanged over the year. (See table10.)

Flows in the Labor Market

Several industries consistently have high rates of both hires and separations. These include construction;

retail trade; professional and business services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and accommodation and

food services. In the 12 months ending in November 2007, these 5 industries produced 33.6 million hires

and 32.1 million separations. Thus, these five industries accounted for 58 percent of total nonfarm hires and

59 percent of total nonfarm separations while comprising only 39 percent of total nonfarm employment.

For More Information

For additional information, please read the Technical Note or visit the JOLTS Web site at http://www.

bls.gov/jlt/. Additional information about JOLTS also may be obtained by e-mailing Joltsinfo@bls.gov or by

calling (202) 691-5870.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover release for December 2007 is scheduled to be issued on

Tuesday, February 12.

_____________________________
4

.

Upcoming Changes to Job Openings

and Labor Turnover Data

With the release of January 2008 data on March 12, 2008, the Job Openings and

Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) will revise the basis for industry classification from

the 2002 North American Industry Classification system (NAICS) to the 2007 North

American Industry Classification system. The new classification reflects minor definitional changes within manufacturing, telecommunications, financial activities, and professional, scientific, and technical services. None of the changes will impact published

JOLTS data.

For more information on 2007 NAICS, see http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/

naics.html.
Technical Note

The data for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey

(JOLTS) are collected and compiled monthly from a sample of

business establishments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

(BLS).

Collection

Each month, data are collected in a survey of business

establishments for total employment, job openings, hires, quits,

layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Data collection

methods include computer-assisted telephone interviewing,

touchtone data entry, fax, and mail.

Coverage

The JOLTS program covers all private nonfarm

establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as

federal, state, and local government entities in the 50 states and

the District of Columbia.

Concepts

Industry classification. The industry classifications in this

release are in accordance with the 2002 version of the North

American Industry Classification System (NAICS). In order to

ensure the highest possible quality of data, State Workforce

Agencies verify with employers and update, if necessary, the

industry code, location, and ownership classification of all

establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes in establishment

characteristics resulting from the verification process are

always introduced into the JOLTS sampling frame with the data

reported for the first month of the year.

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. Full-time, 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. Establishments submit job openings

information 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 regardless of whether a suitable candidate is

found, 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. Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll

occurring at any time during the reference month, including

both new and rehired employees, full-time 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. Separations are the total number of

terminations of employment occurring at any time during the

reference month, and are reported by type of separation—

quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are

voluntary separations by employees (except for retirements,

which are reported as other separations). Layoffs and

discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the

employer and include 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. Other

separations include retirements, transfers to other locations,

deaths, and separations due to disability. Separations do 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, dividing the number by

employment and multiplying by 100.

Annual estimates. Annual estimates of rates and levels of

hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, other separations, and total

separations are released with the January news release each year.

The JOLTS annual level estimates for hires, quits, layoffs

and discharges, other separations, and total separations are

the sum of the 12 published monthly levels. The annual rate

estimates 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. Note that both the JOLTS and CES annual levels are

rounded to the nearest thousand before the annual estimates

are calculated. Consistent with BLS practices, annual estimates

will be published only for not seasonally adjusted data.
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. Only

jobs still open on the last day of the month are counted. For

the same reason job openings cannot be cumulated throughout

each month, annual figures for job openings cannot be created

by summing the monthly estimates. Hires and separations are

flow measures and are cumulated over the month with a total

reported for the month. Therefore, the annual figures can be

created by summing the monthly estimates.

Sample methodology

The JOLTS sample design is a random sample of 16,000

nonfarm business establishments, including factories, offices,

and stores, as well as federal, state, and local governments in

the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The establishments

are drawn from a universe of over eight million establishments

compiled as part of the operations of the Quarterly Census of

Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program. This program

includes all employers subject to state Unemployment

Insurance (UI) laws and federal agencies subject to

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).

The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region,

industry sector, and size class. Large firms fall into the sample

with virtual certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates are

controlled to the employment estimates of the Current

Employment Statistics (CES) survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS

employment is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS data

elements. Rates are then computed from the adjusted levels.

Using JOLTS data

The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires, and

separations are relatively new. The full sample is divided into

panels, with one panel enrolled each month. A full complement

of panels for the original data series based on the 1987 Standard

Industrial Classification (SIC) system was not completely

enrolled in the survey until January 2002. The supplemental

panels of establishments needed to create NAICS estimates

were not completely enrolled until May 2003. The data

collected up until those points are from less than a full sample.

Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with

caution, as fewer sampled units were reporting data at that time.

In March 2002, BLS procedures for collecting hires and

separations data were revised to address possible

underreporting. As a result, JOLTS hires and separations

estimates for months prior to March 2002 may not be

comparable with estimates for March 2002 and later.

The federal government reorganization that involved

transferring approximately 180,000 employees to the new

Department of Homeland Security is not reflected in the JOLTS

hires and separations estimates for the federal government.

The Office of Personnel Management’s record shows these

transfers were completed in March 2003. The inclusion of

transfers in the JOLTS definitions of hires and separations is

intended to cover ongoing movements of workers between

establishments. The Department of Homeland Security

reorganization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion

of these intergovernmental transfers would distort the federal

government time series.

Seasonal adjustment

BLS seasonally adjusts several JOLTS series using the

X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment program. Seasonal

adjustment is the process of estimating and removing periodic

fluctuations caused by events such as weather, holidays,

and the beginning and ending of the school year. Seasonal

adjustment makes it easier to observe fundamental changes in

the level of the series, particularly those associated with

general economic expansions and contractions. 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 the data for the current

month.

Prior to the January 2007 benchmark release in March 2007,

seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS series was conducted using

the stable seasonal filter option since there were not enough data

observations available for the standard use of moving averages

as seasonal filters. Although the seasonal adjustment of the

JOLTS series is conducted with fewer data observations than is

customary, the number of observations is now above the minimum

required by X-12-ARIMA to use the normal seasonal filters.

Therefore, the standard use of moving averages as seasonal

filters is now in place for JOLTS seasonal adjustment. JOLTS

seasonal adjustment now includes both additive and

multiplicative seasonal adjustment models and REGARIMA

(regression with autocorrelated 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. Due to

the improved diagnostics, three additional industries are now

seasonally adjusted: retail trade, accommodations and food

services, and state and local government. It is expected that more

series may be seasonally adjusted when more data are

available.

Reliability of the estimates

JOLTS estimates are subject to both sampling and

nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the entire

population is surveyed, 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. Estimates of

sampling errors are available upon request.

The JOLTS estimates also are affected by nonsampling

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.

JOLTS hires and separations estimates cannot be used to

exactly explain net changes in nonfarm payroll employment.

Some reasons why it is problematic to compare changes in

payroll employment with JOLTS hires and separations,

especially on a monthly basis, are: 1) the reference period for

payroll employment is the pay period including the 12th of the

month, while the reference period for hires and separations is

the calendar month; and 2) payroll employment can vary from

month to month simply because part-time and on-call workers

may not always work during the pay period that includes the

12th of the month. Additionally, research has found that some

reporters systematically underreport separations relative to

hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their

payroll systems and practices. The shortfall appears to be

about 2 percent or less over a 12-month period.

Other information

Information in this release will be made available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;

TDD message referral phone: 1-800-877-8339.
Table 1. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 4,200 4,280 4,186 4,168 4,119 4,059 4,021 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 3,735 3,810 3,711 3,709 3,664 3,597 3,571 3.1 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0

Construction........................................................................ 106 139 167 149 138 155 142 1.4 1.8 2.1 1.9 1.8 2.0 1.8

Manufacturing................................................................ 328 344 340 328 319 304 305 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.1

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 671 676 684 703 691 598 639 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.2 2.4

Retail trade................................................................................. 417 409 399 380 367 298 357 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 1.9 2.3

Professional and business services......................... 705 763 693 676 661 730 724 3.8 4.1 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.9 3.9

Education and health services................................................. 713 711 717 700 720 701 715 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.6 3.7

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 625 568 547 585 653 653 560 4.5 4.0 3.9 4.1 4.6 4.6 3.9

Accommodation and food services......................... 528 497 497 518 587 590 488 4.4 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.8 4.8 4.0

Government 7......................................................................................... 463 465 475 449 455 465 453 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0

State and local government.................................................................................... 427 424 430 410 408 414 407 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.1 2.0

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 772 732 741 682 611 664 619 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.5 2.3

South............................................................................................... 1,572 1,635 1,612 1,690 1,651 1,641 1,639 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2

Midwest......................................................................................... 770 805 754 778 828 742 792 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.4

West...................................................................................... 1,034 1,106 1,120 1,024 1,048 1,019 950 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.2 3.0

1

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

8

 The States (including the District of Columbia) that comprise the 

month. regions are: Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New

 2 The job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and 

of the month as a percent of total employment plus job openings. Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, 

 

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North 

adjustment of the various series. Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and 

 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, 

other services, not shown separately. Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and 

 

5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, not Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, 

shown separately. Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and 

 

6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately. Wyoming.

 

7

 Includes federal government, not shown separately. 

p

 = preliminary.

Table 2. Hires levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 4,994 4,741 4,802 4,836 4,714 4,870 4,650 3.6 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.5 3.4

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 4,665 4,335 4,443 4,369 4,355 4,507 4,277 4.1 3.7 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.9 3.7

Construction........................................................................ 395 358 408 371 336 334 351 5.1 4.7 5.3 4.9 4.4 4.4 4.6

Manufacturing................................................................ 363 355 359 349 365 407 367 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.9 2.6

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 1,012 910 924 922 994 1,034 913 3.8 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.7 3.9 3.4

Retail trade................................................................................. 737 605 613 666 709 709 628 4.8 3.9 4.0 4.3 4.6 4.6 4.1

Professional and business services......................... 1,010 865 879 797 800 840 894 5.7 4.8 4.9 4.4 4.5 4.7 5.0

Education and health services................................................. 492 493 502 501 448 514 523 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.8 2.8

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 903 854 874 901 906 916 836 6.8 6.3 6.4 6.6 6.6 6.7 6.1

Accommodation and food services......................... 748 736 748 758 749 796 702 6.6 6.4 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.8 6.0

Government 7......................................................................................... 348 395 385 396 370 377 359 1.6 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.6

State and local government.................................................................................... 303 312 293 314 296 313 290 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.5

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 713 684 750 761 689 672 721 2.8 2.6 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.8

South............................................................................................... 1,979 1,842 1,898 1,841 1,848 1,925 1,824 4.0 3.7 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.9 3.7

Midwest......................................................................................... 1,061 1,082 1,039 1,081 1,125 1,084 1,067 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.3

West...................................................................................... 1,249 1,117 1,135 1,148 1,068 1,211 1,008 4.1 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.5 3.9 3.3

 1 Hires are the number of hires during the entire month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The hires rate is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of not shown separately.

total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and p = preliminary.

other services, not shown separately.

Industry and region

Industry and region

Levels Rates 3 (in thousands)

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 3. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 4,844 4,543 4,507 4,446 4,430 4,639 4,541 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.4 3.3

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 4,543 4,234 4,173 4,120 4,146 4,376 4,259 4.0 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.7

Construction........................................................................ 413 363 384 371 364 359 338 5.4 4.7 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.5

Manufacturing................................................................ 360 382 379 380 379 408 393 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.9 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 1,020 974 987 926 954 1,007 980 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.7

Retail trade................................................................................. 719 688 687 652 676 703 697 4.7 4.5 4.5 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.5

Professional and business services......................... 974 728 733 742 832 888 843 5.5 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.6 4.9 4.7

Education and health services................................................. 430 473 414 430 411 428 423 2.4 2.6 2.2 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 838 850 837 808 723 803 809 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.0 5.3 5.9 5.9

Accommodation and food services......................... 721 730 735 703 627 686 682 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.1 5.4 5.9 5.8

Government 7......................................................................................... 305 310 323 322 289 289 287 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3

State and local government.................................................................................... 256 239 254 255 213 237 238 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.2 1.2

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 707 634 622 667 631 680 749 2.8 2.5 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.9

South............................................................................................... 2,011 1,699 1,744 1,710 1,760 1,802 1,710 4.1 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.4

Midwest......................................................................................... 985 1,033 1,014 1,038 998 992 1,017 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.2

West...................................................................................... 1,079 1,191 1,149 1,053 1,018 1,160 1,065 3.5 3.9 3.7 3.4 3.3 3.8 3.4

 1 Total separations are the number of total separations during the entire and other services, not shown separately.

month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The total separations rate is the number of total separations during the not shown separately.

entire month as a percent of total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

seasonal adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, p = preliminary.

Table 4. Quits levels 1 and rates 2 by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Nov. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007p

Total 4........................................................................................................... 2,774 2,627 2,640 2,539 2,450 2,682 2,457 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.8

INDUSTRY

Total private 4............................................................................................ 2,625 2,475 2,493 2,391 2,308 2,534 2,317 2.3 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.2 2.0

Construction........................................................................ 144 129 176 145 135 137 113 1.9 1.7 2.3 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.5

Manufacturing................................................................ 211 195 186 202 189 208 189 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities 5.............................. 661 618 572 545 559 607 547 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.3 2.1

Retail trade................................................................................. 472 448 427 401 412 443 407 3.1 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.7 2.9 2.6

Professional and business services......................... 486 411 418 395 420 482 412 2.7 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.7 2.3

Education and health services................................................. 278 271 276 270 253 260 265 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4

Leisure and hospitality 6...................................................... 565 595 597 557 410 558 553 4.2 4.4 4.4 4.1 3.0 4.1 4.0

Accommodation and food services......................... 520 540 552 505 363 514 508 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.4 3.1 4.4 4.3

Government 7......................................................................................... 147 152 148 148 146 147 145 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .6

State and local government.................................................................................... 125 123 125 126 123 129 129 .6 .6 .6 .6 .6 .7 .7

REGION 8

Northeast......................................................................... 409 380 314 313 306 340 340 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3

South............................................................................................... 1,167 1,049 1,097 1,070 1,012 1,121 974 2.4 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.3 2.0

Midwest......................................................................................... 543 555 553 564 543 542 542 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7

West...................................................................................... 645 648 669 598 582 697 576 2.1 2.1 2.2 1.9 1.9 2.3 1.9

 1 Quits are the number of quits during the entire month. 5

 Includes wholesale trade and transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 

 2 The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a not shown separately.

percent of total employment. 6

 Includes arts, entertainment, and recreation, not shown separately.

3

 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent 7 Includes federal government, not shown separately.

seasonal adjustment of the various series. 8

 See footnote 8, table 1. 

4

 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, p = preliminary.

and other services, not shown separately.

Industry and region

Industry and region

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates

Levels 3 (in thousands) Rates
Table 5. Job openings levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 3,834 4,102 3,667 2.7 2.9 2.6

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 3,401 3,647 3,248 2.9 3.0 2.7

Natural resources and mining................................................... 18 9 7 2.4 1.2 1.0

Construction...................................................................................................... 89 136 115 1.1 1.7 1.5

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 284 293 264 2.0 2.1 1.9

Durable goods.............................................................................. 187 169 157 2.0 1.9 1.7

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 97 124 107 1.8 2.4 2.0

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 635 690 600 2.3 2.5 2.2

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 107 154 111 1.8 2.5 1.8

Retail trade................................................................................. 393 392 344 2.4 2.5 2.1

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 135 144 145 2.6 2.7 2.7

Information...................................................................................... 153 86 82 4.8 2.7 2.6

Financial activities........................................................................... 224 229 212 2.6 2.6 2.5

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 179 179 172 2.8 2.8 2.7

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 45 50 40 2.0 2.2 1.8

Professional and business services........................................ 653 741 685 3.5 3.9 3.6

Education and health services................................................................. 661 688 672 3.5 3.5 3.4

Educational services................................................................ 55 65 63 1.7 2.0 1.9

Health care and social assistance.................................. 605 623 610 3.9 3.9 3.8

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 543 616 485 4.0 4.3 3.5

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 76 69 52 4.0 3.4 2.7

Accommodation and food services............................... 467 547 432 4.0 4.5 3.6

Other services................................................................................. 142 159 126 2.6 2.8 2.3

Government......................................................................................... 433 455 419 1.9 2.0 1.8

Federal................................................................................................ 29 47 38 1.0 1.7 1.4

State and local.................................................................................... 404 408 381 2.0 2.0 1.9

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 747 724 598 2.8 2.7 2.2

South............................................................................................... 1,446 1,612 1,486 2.8 3.1 2.9

Midwest................................................................................................. 681 743 706 2.1 2.3 2.1

West....................................................................................................... 960 1,022 877 3.0 3.2 2.7

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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 6. Hires levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,569 4,931 4,203 3.3 3.5 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,294 4,584 3,941 3.7 3.9 3.4

Natural resources and mining................................................... 16 18 22 2.3 2.4 3.0

Construction...................................................................................................... 307 295 271 4.0 3.8 3.6

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 295 375 299 2.1 2.7 2.1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 172 211 175 1.9 2.4 2.0

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 123 164 125 2.4 3.2 2.4

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 1,179 1,165 1,024 4.4 4.4 3.8

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 100 174 131 1.7 2.9 2.2

Retail trade................................................................................. 931 850 771 5.9 5.5 4.9

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 149 142 122 2.9 2.8 2.4

Information...................................................................................... 74 57 47 2.4 1.8 1.5

Financial activities........................................................................... 197 235 176 2.3 2.8 2.1

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 123 173 108 2.0 2.8 1.7

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 74 62 68 3.4 2.8 3.1

Professional and business services........................................ 930 860 840 5.2 4.7 4.6

Education and health services................................................................. 411 534 447 2.3 2.8 2.4

Educational services................................................................ 37 67 47 1.2 2.1 1.4

Health care and social assistance.................................. 374 467 400 2.5 3.0 2.6

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 767 874 706 5.9 6.4 5.3

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 120 97 107 6.6 5.0 5.8

Accommodation and food services............................... 647 777 599 5.7 6.7 5.2

Other services................................................................................. 120 172 108 2.2 3.2 2.0

Government......................................................................................... 275 346 262 1.2 1.5 1.1

Federal................................................................................................ 40 40 46 1.5 1.5 1.7

State and local.................................................................................... 235 307 216 1.2 1.5 1.1

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 636 672 649 2.5 2.6 2.5

South............................................................................................... 1,793 1,956 1,649 3.6 3.9 3.3

Midwest................................................................................................. 951 1,059 946 3.0 3.3 2.9

West....................................................................................................... 1,188 1,243 960 3.8 4.0 3.1

 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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 7. Total separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 4,411 4,673 4,150 3.2 3.4 3.0

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 4,198 4,449 3,956 3.6 3.8 3.4

Natural resources and mining................................................... 16 18 24 2.3 2.4 3.2

Construction...................................................................................................... 447 378 352 5.7 4.9 4.6

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 322 417 348 2.3 3.0 2.5

Durable goods.............................................................................. 196 240 204 2.2 2.7 2.3

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 127 177 144 2.4 3.4 2.8

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 954 962 928 3.6 3.6 3.4

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 137 164 112 2.3 2.7 1.9

Retail trade................................................................................. 668 660 657 4.2 4.3 4.2

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 148 138 160 2.9 2.7 3.1

Information...................................................................................... 74 55 57 2.4 1.8 1.8

Financial activities........................................................................... 194 234 173 2.3 2.8 2.1

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 106 159 90 1.7 2.6 1.4

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 88 75 83 4.0 3.4 3.8

Professional and business services........................................ 907 916 845 5.1 5.0 4.7

Education and health services................................................................. 348 384 342 1.9 2.0 1.8

Educational services................................................................ 36 35 43 1.2 1.1 1.3

Health care and social assistance.................................. 312 349 299 2.1 2.2 1.9

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 806 933 782 6.2 6.9 5.8

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 130 148 148 7.2 7.6 8.0

Accommodation and food services............................... 675 785 633 6.0 6.7 5.5

Other services................................................................................. 131 153 105 2.4 2.8 1.9

Government......................................................................................... 213 224 194 .9 1.0 .9

Federal................................................................................................ 31 26 23 1.1 1.0 .8

State and local.................................................................................... 182 198 172 .9 1.0 .9

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 635 702 688 2.5 2.7 2.6

South............................................................................................... 1,778 1,837 1,454 3.6 3.7 2.9

Midwest................................................................................................. 992 951 1,030 3.1 3.0 3.2

West....................................................................................................... 1,005 1,183 978 3.3 3.8 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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 8. Quits levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 2,408 2,626 2,100 1.7 1.9 1.5

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 2,302 2,506 1,997 2.0 2.1 1.7

Natural resources and mining................................................... 9 9 12 1.2 1.2 1.6

Construction...................................................................................................... 122 147 91 1.6 1.9 1.2

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 164 211 148 1.2 1.5 1.1

Durable goods.............................................................................. 95 115 80 1.1 1.3 .9

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 69 95 68 1.3 1.9 1.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 604 581 488 2.3 2.2 1.8

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 86 87 51 1.4 1.4 .8

Retail trade................................................................................. 441 430 374 2.8 2.8 2.4

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 77 64 63 1.5 1.2 1.2

Information...................................................................................... 46 33 37 1.5 1.1 1.2

Financial activities........................................................................... 116 131 88 1.4 1.6 1.0

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 74 99 64 1.2 1.6 1.0

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 42 32 24 1.9 1.4 1.1

Professional and business services........................................ 422 455 355 2.4 2.5 2.0

Education and health services................................................................. 237 242 224 1.3 1.3 1.2

Educational services................................................................ 18 21 24 .6 .7 .7

Health care and social assistance.................................. 218 221 200 1.4 1.4 1.3

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 511 588 490 3.9 4.3 3.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 38 48 34 2.1 2.4 1.8

Accommodation and food services............................... 472 540 456 4.2 4.6 3.9

Other services................................................................................. 72 109 64 1.3 2.0 1.2

Government......................................................................................... 106 120 103 .5 .5 .5

Federal................................................................................................ 15 10 8 .5 .4 .3

State and local.................................................................................... 91 110 95 .5 .6 .5

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 355 340 309 1.4 1.3 1.2

South............................................................................................... 999 1,119 818 2.0 2.2 1.6

Midwest................................................................................................. 486 513 484 1.5 1.6 1.5

West....................................................................................................... 567 653 489 1.8 2.1 1.6

 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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 9. Layoffs and discharges levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 1,719 1,796 1,798 1.2 1.3 1.3

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 1,646 1,723 1,739 1.4 1.5 1.5

Natural resources and mining................................................... 5 7 10 .8 .9 1.4

Construction...................................................................................................... 294 217 243 3.8 2.8 3.2

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 135 185 175 1.0 1.3 1.3

Durable goods.............................................................................. 87 114 111 1.0 1.3 1.3

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 47 72 64 .9 1.4 1.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 289 324 380 1.1 1.2 1.4

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 44 72 52 .7 1.2 .9

Retail trade................................................................................. 184 196 241 1.2 1.3 1.5

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 61 55 87 1.2 1.1 1.7

Information...................................................................................... 22 13 15 .7 .4 .5

Financial activities........................................................................... 69 88 73 .8 1.0 .9

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 24 50 21 .4 .8 .3

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 45 38 53 2.1 1.7 2.4

Professional and business services........................................ 422 424 448 2.4 2.3 2.5

Education and health services................................................................. 81 107 92 .4 .6 .5

Educational services................................................................ 13 12 16 .4 .4 .5

Health care and social assistance.................................. 68 95 76 .4 .6 .5

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 281 324 270 2.1 2.4 2.0

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 89 97 112 4.9 5.0 6.0

Accommodation and food services............................... 192 227 159 1.7 1.9 1.4

Other services................................................................................. 49 34 32 .9 .6 .6

Government......................................................................................... 72 73 59 .3 .3 .3

Federal................................................................................................ 8 9 8 .3 .3 .3

State and local.................................................................................... 64 64 51 .3 .3 .3

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 214 307 327 .8 1.2 1.3

South............................................................................................... 688 621 553 1.4 1.2 1.1

Midwest................................................................................................. 445 387 494 1.4 1.2 1.5

West....................................................................................................... 371 481 424 1.2 1.5 1.4

 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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region
Table 10. Other separations levels 1

 and rates 2 by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

Nov. Oct. Nov. Nov. Oct. Nov.

2006 2007 2007p 2006 2007 2007p

Total........................................................................................................... 285 251 252 0.2 0.2 0.2

INDUSTRY

Total private............................................................................................ 250 220 221 .2 .2 .2

Natural resources and mining................................................... 2 2 2 .3 .3 .2

Construction...................................................................................................... 30 13 18 .4 .2 .2

Manufacturing..................................................................................... 23 21 25 .2 .1 .2

Durable goods.............................................................................. 13 11 14 .1 .1 .2

Nondurable goods....................................................................... 10 10 12 .2 .2 .2

Trade, transportation, and utilities.................................................... 61 57 60 .2 .2 .2

Wholesale trade........................................................................... 7 4 9 .1 .1 .2

Retail trade................................................................................. 44 33 41 .3 .2 .3

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...................... 10 20 10 .2 .4 .2

Information...................................................................................... 6 9 5 .2 .3 .2

Financial activities........................................................................... 9 16 12 .1 .2 .1

Finance and insurance..................................................................................... 8 10 5 .1 .2 .1

Real estate and rental and leasing................................... 1 6 7 (

4

) .3 .3

Professional and business services........................................ 64 36 42 .4 .2 .2

Education and health services................................................................. 30 35 26 .2 .2 .1

Educational services................................................................ 5 2 3 .1 .1 .1

Health care and social assistance.................................. 26 32 23 .2 .2 .1

Leisure and hospitality.................................................................. 14 21 21 .1 .2 .2

Arts, entertainment, and recreation..................................... 3 3 3 .2 .1 .1

Accommodation and food services............................... 11 19 19 .1 .2 .2

Other services................................................................................. 11 11 9 .2 .2 .2

Government......................................................................................... 35 31 32 .2 .1 .1

Federal................................................................................................ 8 7 6 .3 .3 .2

State and local.................................................................................... 27 24 26 .1 .1 .1

REGION 3

Northeast......................................................................................... 66 55 52 .3 .2 .2

South............................................................................................... 91 96 83 .2 .2 .2

Midwest................................................................................................. 61 51 53 .2 .2 .2

West....................................................................................................... 67 49 65 .2 .2 .2

 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 See footnote 8, table 1.

 

4

 Data round to zero.

 p = preliminary.

Levels (in thousands) Rates

Industry and region