Technical information:      (202) 691-5870       USDL 06-1784
                   http://www.bls.gov/jlt/
                                                 For release:  10:00 A.M. EDT
Media contact:                    691-5902       Wednesday, October 11, 2006


               JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER:  AUGUST 2006


   The job openings rate increased in August, while the hires rate de-
creased and the total separations rate remained essentially unchanged,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  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.

Job Openings

   On the last business day of August 2006, there were 4.1 million job
openings in the United States and the job openings rate was 3.0 percent.
The job openings rate increased over the month to the highest level since
April 2001, after showing little change since November 2005.  In August,
the job openings rates increased in trade, transportation, and utilities
and in three of the four regions--the Midwest, South, and West.  There
were no significant over-the-month decreases in the job openings rate in
any industry or region.  The industries with the highest seasonally ad-
justed job openings rates in August 2006 were professional and business
services (3.8 percent), leisure and hospitality (3.7 percent), and edu-
cation and health services (3.6 percent).  (See table 1.)
     
   Over the year, the job openings rate rose in many of the private sector
industries, in federal government, and in three of the four regions (Mid-
west, Northeast, and South).  The job openings rate did not decline signi-
ficantly over the year in any industry or region.  (See table 5.)

Hires
     
   The hires rate decreased to 3.5 percent in August.  Hires are any addi-
tions to the payroll during the month.  In August, the hires rate rose in
government and fell in professional and business services and in the Mid-
west and Northeast regions.  The seasonally adjusted hires rate was high-
est in the leisure and hospitality industry (6.1 percent).  (See table 2.)
     
   From August 2005 to August 2006, the hires rate increased in state and
local government and decreased in other services and in the Northeast re-
gion.  (See table 6.)

                                  - 2 -

Table A.  Job openings, hires, and total separations by industry, seasonally
adjusted
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   |    Job openings    |       Hires        | Total separations
                   |--------------------------------------------------------------
     Industry      | Aug. | July | Aug. | Aug. | July | Aug. | Aug. | July | Aug.
                   | 2005 | 2006 | 2006p| 2005 | 2006 | 2006p| 2005 | 2006 | 2006p
-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------
                   |                     Levels (in thousands)
                   |--------------------------------------------------------------
Total(1)...........|3,697 |3,844 |4,145 |4,824 |4,995 |4,694 |4,633 |4,479 |4,287
                   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
  Total private(1).|3,239 |3,363 |3,683 |4,489 |4,741 |4,299 |4,377 |4,168 |4,033
    Construction...|  133 |  148 |  180 |  446 |  365 |  383 |  454 |  415 |  346
    Manufacturing..|  256 |  305 |  323 |  346 |  380 |  342 |  392 |  358 |  364
    Trade, trans-  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     portation, and|      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     utilities.....|  637 |  605 |  704 |1,043 |1,045 |1,018 |1,036 |  935 |  994
    Professional   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     and business  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     services......|  687 |  651 |  685 |  900 |  967 |  841 |  754 |  735 |  686
    Education and  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     health ser-   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     vices.........|  620 |  643 |  674 |  468 |  521 |  483 |  434 |  431 |  458
    Leisure and    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     hospitality...|  426 |  482 |  496 |  818 |  850 |  801 |  815 |  818 |  791
  Government.......|  459 |  478 |  467 |  342 |  338 |  374 |  265 |  306 |  267
                   |--------------------------------------------------------------
                   |                       Rates (percent)
                   |--------------------------------------------------------------
Total(1)...........|  2.7 |  2.8 |  3.0 |  3.6 |  3.7 |  3.5 |  3.5 |  3.3 |  3.2
                   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
  Total private(1).|  2.8 |  2.9 |  3.1 |  4.0 |  4.2 |  3.8 |  3.9 |  3.7 |  3.6
    Construction...|  1.8 |  1.9 |  2.3 |  6.1 |  4.9 |  5.1 |  6.2 |  5.5 |  4.6
    Manufacturing..|  1.8 |  2.1 |  2.2 |  2.4 |  2.7 |  2.4 |  2.8 |  2.5 |  2.6
    Trade, trans-  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     portation, and|      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     utilities.....|  2.4 |  2.3 |  2.6 |  4.0 |  4.0 |  3.9 |  4.0 |  3.6 |  3.8
    Professional   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     and business  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     services......|  3.9 |  3.6 |  3.8 |  5.3 |  5.6 |  4.8 |  4.5 |  4.2 |  3.9
    Education and  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     health ser-   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     vices.........|  3.4 |  3.5 |  3.6 |  2.7 |  2.9 |  2.7 |  2.5 |  2.4 |  2.6
    Leisure and    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
     hospitality...|  3.2 |  3.6 |  3.7 |  6.4 |  6.5 |  6.1 |  6.3 |  6.3 |  6.1
  Government.......|  2.1 |  2.1 |  2.1 |  1.6 |  1.5 |  1.7 |  1.2 |  1.4 |  1.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and
other services, not shown separately.
  p = preliminary.


Separations
     
   The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed at 3.2 per-
cent in August.  Separations are terminations of employment that occur at
any time during the month.  In August, the total separations rate increased
in the West region but in none of the industries.  The rate declined in gov-
ernment and in the Midwest and Northeast regions.  (See table 3.)
     
   Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and dis-
charges (involuntary separations), and other separations (including retire-
ments).  The quits rate, which can serve as a barometer of workers' ability
to change jobs, was unchanged at 1.9 percent in August.  Over the month, the
quits rate did not change significantly in any industry or region.  In August,
the seasonally adjusted quits rate was the highest in the leisure and hospi-
tality industry (4.2 percent), which also had the highest hires rate.  (See
table 4.)

                                  - 3 -
     
   Over the year, the quits rate grew in educational services and in state
and local government.  The quits rate declined in construction, retail trade,
other services, and the Northeast.  (See table 8.)
     
   The other two components of total separations--layoffs and discharges,
and other separations--are not seasonally adjusted.  From August 2005 to
August 2006, the layoffs and discharges rate decreased to 1.2 percent.
For August 2006, the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry had the
highest layoffs and discharges rate (2.6 percent).  From August 2005 to
August 2006, the other separations rate was little changed at 0.2 percent.
(See tables 9 and 10.)

Flows in the Labor Market

   Hires and separations data help show dynamic flows in the labor market.
Over the 12 months ending in August 2006, hires have averaged 4.8 million
per month and separations have averaged 4.5 million per month (not season-
ally adjusted).  The comparable figures for the prior 12-month period were
also 4.8 million hires and 4.5 million separations.  (See the Technical
Note for additional information on these measures.)

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 September 2006 is
scheduled to be issued on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.
     




                                  - 4 -

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 characteris-
tics 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 re-
ceived 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 tempo-
rary help agencies, employee leasing companies, outside contractors, and
consultants are counted by their employer of record, not by the establish-
ment 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 posi-
tion, 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 news-
papers 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.
   
                                  - 5 -

  Hires.  Hires are the total number of additions to the payroll occurring
at any time during the reference month, including both new and rehired em-
ployees, full-time and part-time, permanent, short-term and seasonal em-
ployees, 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 (ex-
cept for retirements, which are reported as other separations).  Lay-
offs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the em-
ployer 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 re-
tirements, 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, divid-
ing 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 an-
nual level by the Current Employment Statistics (CES) annual average employ-
ment level, and multiplying that quotient by 100.  This figure will be ap-
proximately 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 es-
timates 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.

                                  - 6 -

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 rel-
atively 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 supple-
mental 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 compar-
able with estimates for March 2002 and later.
   
  The federal government reorganization that involved transferring approx-
imately 180,000 employees to the new Department of Homeland Security is not 
reflected in the JOLTS hires and separations estimates for the federal gov-
ernment.  The Office of Personnel Management's record shows these transfers 
were completed in March 2003.  The inclusion of transfers in the JOLTS defi-
nitions of hires and separations is intended to cover ongoing movements of 
workers between establishments.  The Department of Homeland Security reorgan-
ization was a massive one-time event, and the inclusion of these intergovern-
mental 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 adjust-
ment 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.

                                  - 7 -

  Data users should note that seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS series is
conducted with fewer data observations than is customary.  The historical
data, therefore, may be subject to larger than normal revisions.  Since the
seasonal patterns in economic data series typically emerge over time, the
standard use of moving averages as seasonal filters to capture these effects 
requires longer series than are currently available.  As a result, the stable 
seasonal filter option is used in the seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS data.  
When calculating seasonal factors, this filter takes an average for each cal-
endar month after detrending the series.  The stable seasonal filter assumes 
that the seasonal factors are fixed; a necessary assumption until sufficient 
data are available.  When the stable seasonal filter is no longer needed, 
other program features also may be introduced, such as outlier adjustment 
and extended diagnostic testing.  Additionally, it is expected that more 
series, such as layoffs and discharges and additional industries, 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 seg-
ment 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 ex-
plain 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 in-
cludes 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 prac-
tices.  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

                                                      Levels (3) (in thousands)                              Rates

           Industry and region            Aug.   Mar.   Apr.   May    June   July   Aug.   Aug.  Mar.  Apr.  May   June  July  Aug.
                                          2005   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006p  2005  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006p

Total (4)............................... 3,697  4,089  4,070  3,945  3,960  3,844  4,145    2.7   2.9   2.9   2.8   2.8   2.8   3.0

                INDUSTRY

 Total private (4)...................... 3,239  3,633  3,603  3,496  3,476  3,363  3,683    2.8   3.1   3.1   3.0   3.0   2.9   3.1
  Construction.........................    133    144    138    119    161    148    180    1.8   1.9   1.8   1.6   2.1   1.9   2.3
  Manufacturing........................    256    318    323    311    301    305    323    1.8   2.2   2.2   2.1   2.1   2.1   2.2
  Trade, transportation, and utilities.    637    651    672    687    640    605    704    2.4   2.4   2.5   2.6   2.4   2.3   2.6
  Professional and business services...    687    702    748    693    616    651    685    3.9   3.9   4.2   3.9   3.4   3.6   3.8
  Education and health services........    620    692    674    651    659    643    674    3.4   3.8   3.7   3.6   3.6   3.5   3.6
  Leisure and hospitality..............    426    506    485    496    487    482    496    3.2   3.8   3.6   3.7   3.6   3.6   3.7
 Government............................    459    458    467    452    467    478    467    2.1   2.0   2.1   2.0   2.1   2.1   2.1


                 REGION (5)

  Northeast............................    617    732    672    670    699    699    736    2.4   2.8   2.6   2.6   2.7   2.7   2.8
  South................................  1,442  1,634  1,600  1,591  1,507  1,498  1,596    2.9   3.3   3.2   3.2   3.0   3.0   3.2
  Midwest..............................    724    721    770    787    777    739    820    2.3   2.2   2.4   2.4   2.4   2.3   2.5
  West.................................    925    985  1,022    918    935    911    982    3.0   3.2   3.3   3.0   3.0   3.0   3.2

  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 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
  4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
  5 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 (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

                                                      Levels (3) (in thousands)                              Rates

           Industry and region            Aug.   Mar.   Apr.   May    June   July   Aug.   Aug.  Mar.  Apr.  May   June  July  Aug.
                                          2005   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006p  2005  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006p

Total (4)..............................  4,824  4,884  4,649  4,949  4,899  4,995  4,694    3.6   3.6   3.4   3.7   3.6   3.7   3.5

                INDUSTRY

 Total private (4).....................  4,489  4,503  4,301  4,573  4,508  4,741  4,299    4.0   4.0   3.8   4.0   4.0   4.2   3.8
  Construction.........................    446    344    376    374    366    365    383    6.1   4.6   5.0   5.0   4.9   4.9   5.1
  Manufacturing........................    346    341    328    385    378    380    342    2.4   2.4   2.3   2.7   2.7   2.7   2.4
  Trade, transportation, and utilities.  1,043  1,103  1,029  1,018  1,099  1,045  1,018    4.0   4.2   4.0   3.9   4.2   4.0   3.9
  Professional and business services...    900    922    858  1,006    905    967    841    5.3   5.4   5.0   5.8   5.2   5.6   4.8
  Education and health services........    468    435    481    549    465    521    483    2.7   2.5   2.7   3.1   2.6   2.9   2.7
  Leisure and hospitality..............    818    899    775    811    846    850    801    6.4   6.9   6.0   6.2   6.5   6.5   6.1
 Government............................    342    397    361    379    392    338    374    1.6   1.8   1.6   1.7   1.8   1.5   1.7


                 REGION (5)

  Northeast............................    805    914    849    852    729    841    694    3.2   3.6   3.3   3.3   2.9   3.3   2.7
  South................................  1,870  1,803  1,777  1,849  1,877  1,849  1,836    3.9   3.7   3.7   3.8   3.9   3.8   3.8
  Midwest..............................    955  1,117    965  1,133  1,072  1,123    966    3.1   3.5   3.1   3.6   3.4   3.6   3.1
  West.................................  1,186  1,127  1,152  1,114  1,207  1,177  1,172    4.0   3.8   3.9   3.7   4.0   3.9   3.9


  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 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
  4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
  5 See footnote 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 3.  Total separations levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

                                                      Levels (3) (in thousands)                             Rates

           Industry and region            Aug.   Mar.   Apr.   May    June   July   Aug.   Aug.  Mar.  Apr.  May   June  July  Aug.
                                          2005   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006p  2005  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006p

Total (4)............................... 4,633  4,681  4,495  4,811  4,631  4,479  4,287    3.5   3.5   3.3   3.6   3.4   3.3   3.2

                INDUSTRY

 Total private (4)...................... 4,377  4,360  4,203  4,488  4,299  4,168  4,033    3.9   3.9   3.7   4.0   3.8   3.7   3.6
  Construction.........................    454    422    373    478    324    415    346    6.2   5.6   5.0   6.4   4.3   5.5   4.6
  Manufacturing........................    392    427    346    381    370    358    364    2.8   3.0   2.4   2.7   2.6   2.5   2.6
  Trade, transportation, and utilities.  1,036    989  1,022  1,046  1,082    935    994    4.0   3.8   3.9   4.0   4.2   3.6   3.8
  Professional and business services...    754    798    790    833    755    735    686    4.5   4.6   4.6   4.8   4.4   4.2   3.9
  Education and health services........    434    399    437    487    424    431    458    2.5   2.3   2.5   2.8   2.4   2.4   2.6
  Leisure and hospitality..............    815    769    770    799    802    818    791    6.3   5.9   5.9   6.1   6.2   6.3   6.1
 Government............................    265    326    302    324    315    306    267    1.2   1.5   1.4   1.5   1.4   1.4   1.2


                 REGION (5)

  Northeast............................    772    714    711    779    724    763    620    3.1   2.8   2.8   3.1   2.8   3.0   2.4
  South................................  1,692  1,810  1,710  1,828  1,858  1,687  1,702    3.5   3.8   3.5   3.8   3.8   3.5   3.5
  Midwest..............................  1,053  1,014    992  1,045    871  1,087    895    3.4   3.2   3.2   3.3   2.8   3.4   2.8
  West.................................  1,140  1,188  1,116  1,136  1,137    979  1,094    3.9   4.0   3.7   3.8   3.8   3.3   3.7

  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 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
  4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
  5 See footnote 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 4.  Quits levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, seasonally adjusted

                                                      Levels(3) (in thousands)                              Rates

           Industry and region            Aug.   Mar.   Apr.   May    June   July   Aug.   Aug.  Mar.  Apr.  May   June  July  Aug.
                                          2005   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006   2006p  2005  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006  2006p

Total (4)............................... 2,651  2,763  2,541  2,723  2,699  2,623  2,586    2.0   2.0   1.9   2.0   2.0   1.9   1.9

                INDUSTRY

 Total private (4).....................  2,517  2,606  2,383  2,565  2,554  2,469  2,439    2.2   2.3   2.1   2.3   2.3   2.2   2.1
  Construction.........................    208    182    167    207    154    157    155    2.8   2.4   2.2   2.8   2.0   2.1   2.1
  Manufacturing........................    186    205    175    202    190    189    201    1.3   1.4   1.2   1.4   1.3   1.3   1.4
  Trade, transportation, and utilities.    640    598    613    622    615    586    602    2.5   2.3   2.4   2.4   2.4   2.3   2.3
  Professional and business services...    387    426    409    434    386    412    377    2.3   2.5   2.4   2.5   2.2   2.4   2.2
  Education and health services........    275    267    253    276    290    277    301    1.6   1.5   1.4   1.6   1.6   1.6   1.7
  Leisure and hospitality..............    543    561    535    533    622    549    549    4.2   4.3   4.1   4.1   4.8   4.2   4.2
 Government............................    132    156    159    159    146    156    146     .6    .7    .7    .7    .7    .7    .7


                 REGION (5)

  Northeast............................    410    383    370    370    358    378    374    1.6   1.5   1.5   1.5   1.4   1.5   1.5
  South................................  1,094  1,129  1,026  1,152  1,153  1,081  1,121    2.3   2.3   2.1   2.4   2.4   2.2   2.3
  Midwest..............................    544    619    575    581    552    562    529    1.7   2.0   1.8   1.8   1.8   1.8   1.7
  West.................................    611    642    593    612    631    598    579    2.1   2.2   2.0   2.0   2.1   2.0   1.9

  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 Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal adjustment of the various series.
  4 Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other services, not shown separately.
  5 See footnote 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 5.  Job openings levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................  4,001    4,046    4,495           2.9      2.9      3.2

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................  3,493    3,529    3,981           3.0      3.0      3.4
  Natural resources and mining..................     11       13       16           1.7      1.9      2.3
  Construction..................................    136      163      199           1.7      2.1      2.5
  Manufacturing.................................    275      323      347           1.9      2.2      2.4
   Durable goods................................    181      213      219           2.0      2.3      2.4
   Nondurable goods.............................     93      110      129           1.7      2.0      2.4
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........    707      622      788           2.6      2.3      2.9
   Wholesale trade..............................    138      125      160           2.3      2.1      2.7
   Retail trade.................................    461      358      454           2.9      2.3      2.9
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...    108      139      174           2.2      2.7      3.4
  Information...................................     97      157      169           3.1      4.9      5.2
  Financial activities..........................    243      236      248           2.9      2.7      2.9
   Finance and insurance........................    197      186      201           3.2      2.9      3.2
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........     45       50       47           2.0      2.2      2.1
  Professional and business services............    755      659      759           4.2      3.6      4.1
  Education and health services.................    661      661      722           3.7      3.7      4.0
   Educational services.........................     67       62       63           2.6      2.4      2.4
   Health care and social assistance............    594      599      659           3.9      3.9      4.2
  Leisure and hospitality.......................    475      539      553           3.4      3.8      3.9
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........     65       61       53           2.9      2.6      2.4
   Accommodations and food services.............    410      479      500           3.5      4.0      4.2
  Other services................................    133      155      180           2.4      2.8      3.2

 Government.....................................    508      517      514           2.4      2.4      2.4
  Federal.......................................     40       47       60           1.5      1.7      2.1
  State and local...............................    468      470      454           2.5      2.5      2.4

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................    682      712      820           2.6      2.7      3.1
  South.........................................  1,521    1,579    1,689           3.1      3.2      3.4
  Midwest.......................................    798      801      913           2.5      2.5      2.8
  West..........................................  1,000      954    1,073           3.3      3.1      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 See footnote 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 6.  Hires levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................  5,591    5,276    5,397           4.2      3.9      4.0

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................  5,054    4,903    4,806           4.5      4.3      4.2
  Natural resources and mining..................     24       23       26           3.7      3.3      3.7
  Construction..................................    454      376      393           6.0      4.8      5.0
  Manufacturing.................................    397      416      391           2.8      2.9      2.7
   Durable goods................................    223      238      241           2.5      2.6      2.7
   Nondurable goods.............................    174      178      150           3.3      3.4      2.8
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........  1,158    1,025    1,116           4.5      3.9      4.3
   Wholesale trade..............................    153      133      155           2.6      2.3      2.6
   Retail trade.................................    825      717      749           5.4      4.7      4.9
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...    180      175      213           3.7      3.5      4.3
  Information...................................     81       99      102           2.6      3.2      3.3
  Financial activities..........................    185      274      180           2.3      3.3      2.2
   Finance and insurance........................    118      177      120           2.0      2.9      2.0
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........     68       97       60           3.1      4.4      2.7
  Professional and business services............  1,030    1,017      946           6.0      5.8      5.4
  Education and health services.................    585      569      600           3.4      3.3      3.4
   Educational services.........................     89       70       95           3.6      2.8      3.8
   Health care and social assistance............    497      499      506           3.4      3.4      3.4
  Leisure and hospitality.......................    928      898      899           6.9      6.5      6.6
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........    106      121      106           4.9      5.4      4.9
   Accommodations and food services.............    822      776      793           7.3      6.7      6.9
  Other services................................    212      206      152           3.9      3.8      2.8

 Government.....................................    536      373      591           2.6      1.8      2.8
  Federal.......................................     46       29       34           1.7      1.1      1.3
  State and local...............................    490      344      557           2.7      1.9      3.1

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................    885      942      748           3.5      3.7      2.9
  South.........................................  2,220    1,949    2,179           4.6      4.0      4.5
  Midwest.......................................  1,150    1,126    1,148           3.7      3.6      3.6
  West..........................................  1,335    1,260    1,322           4.5      4.2      4.4

  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 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 7.  Total separations levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................  5,951    4,717    5,480           4.5      3.5      4.1

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................  5,544    4,327    5,072           4.9      3.8      4.4
  Natural resources and mining..................     26       16       24           4.1      2.3      3.4
  Construction..................................    544      372      399           7.1      4.8      5.1
  Manufacturing.................................    477      387      450           3.3      2.7      3.1
   Durable goods................................    316      240      273           3.5      2.7      3.0
   Nondurable goods.............................    161      147      176           3.0      2.8      3.3
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........  1,230      928    1,174           4.7      3.6      4.5
   Wholesale trade..............................    151      163      181           2.6      2.8      3.1
   Retail trade.................................    892      619      807           5.8      4.1      5.3
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...    187      146      186           3.8      3.0      3.8
  Information...................................     98       83       96           3.2      2.7      3.1
  Financial activities..........................    222      246      244           2.7      2.9      2.9
   Finance and insurance........................    160      149      160           2.7      2.4      2.6
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........     62       97       84           2.8      4.4      3.8
  Professional and business services............    979      827      869           5.7      4.7      4.9
  Education and health services.................    557      476      585           3.3      2.7      3.4
   Educational services.........................     74       65       96           3.0      2.6      3.8
   Health care and social assistance............    483      411      489           3.3      2.8      3.3
  Leisure and hospitality.......................  1,030      831      991           7.6      6.0      7.2
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........    182      100      145           8.4      4.5      6.6
   Accommodations and food services.............    848      731      846           7.5      6.3      7.3
  Other services................................    379      160      240           7.0      2.9      4.4

 Government.....................................    407      390      408           2.0      1.9      2.0
  Federal.......................................     48       38       39           1.8      1.4      1.4
  State and local...............................    359      352      369           2.0      2.0      2.0

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................  1,023      753      818           4.1      3.0      3.2
  South.........................................  2,190    1,811    2,191           4.6      3.7      4.5
  Midwest.......................................  1,391    1,100    1,168           4.5      3.5      3.7
  West..........................................  1,347    1,053    1,303           4.5      3.5      4.3

  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 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 8.  Quits levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................  3,685    2,900    3,567           2.8      2.1      2.6

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................  3,470    2,713    3,336           3.1      2.4      2.9
  Natural resources and mining..................     11        9       16           1.8      1.3      2.3
  Construction..................................    256      178      201           3.4      2.3      2.6
  Manufacturing.................................    262      218      285           1.8      1.5      2.0
   Durable goods................................    156      129      173           1.7      1.4      1.9
   Nondurable goods.............................    106       89      112           2.0      1.7      2.1
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........    861      606      807           3.3      2.3      3.1
   Wholesale trade..............................     98       85      118           1.7      1.4      2.0
   Retail trade.................................    644      431      570           4.2      2.8      3.7
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...    120       90      120           2.4      1.8      2.4
  Information...................................     67       61       73           2.2      2.0      2.4
  Financial activities..........................    154      150      146           1.9      1.8      1.7
   Finance and insurance........................    106       97      102           1.8      1.6      1.7
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........     48       53       44           2.2      2.4      2.0
  Professional and business services............    561      471      533           3.3      2.7      3.0
  Education and health services.................    367      299      405           2.2      1.7      2.3
   Educational services.........................     47       39       62           1.9      1.6      2.5
   Health care and social assistance............    320      259      343           2.2      1.7      2.3
  Leisure and hospitality.......................    746      611      754           5.5      4.4      5.5
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........     84       52       82           3.9      2.3      3.8
   Accommodations and food services.............    662      560      672           5.9      4.9      5.8
  Other services................................    184      110      117           3.4      2.0      2.2

 Government.....................................    215      187      231           1.0       .9      1.1
  Federal.......................................     24       17       22            .9       .6       .8
  State and local...............................    191      170      210           1.1       .9      1.2

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................    589      418      534           2.3      1.6      2.1
  South.........................................  1,461    1,223    1,487           3.1      2.5      3.1
  Midwest.......................................    798      594      757           2.6      1.9      2.4
  West..........................................    837      666      788           2.8      2.2      2.6

  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 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 9.  Layoffs and discharges levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................  1,907    1,398    1,582           1.4      1.0      1.2

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................  1,765    1,264    1,463           1.6      1.1      1.3
  Natural resources and mining..................      9        3        3           1.4       .4       .5
  Construction..................................    261      170      184           3.4      2.2      2.4
  Manufacturing.................................    164      125      131           1.1       .9       .9
   Durable goods................................    118       79       78           1.3       .9       .9
   Nondurable goods.............................     46       46       53            .9       .9      1.0
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........    308      239      294           1.2       .9      1.1
   Wholesale trade..............................     43       53       57            .7       .9      1.0
   Retail trade.................................    210      144      188           1.4       .9      1.2
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...     55       41       49           1.1       .8      1.0
  Information...................................     21       16       19            .7       .5       .6
  Financial activities..........................     54       68       80            .7       .8      1.0
   Finance and insurance........................     44       29       45            .7       .5       .7
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........     10       39       35            .4      1.8      1.6
  Professional and business services............    365      274      290           2.1      1.6      1.6
  Education and health services.................    153      130      146            .9       .7       .8
   Educational services.........................     22       22       31            .9       .9      1.2
   Health care and social assistance............    130      108      116            .9       .7       .8
  Leisure and hospitality.......................    248      200      207           1.8      1.5      1.5
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........     95       47       58           4.3      2.1      2.6
   Accommodations and food services.............    153      152      149           1.4      1.3      1.3
  Other services................................    182       38      109           3.4       .7      2.0

 Government.....................................    142      134      119            .7       .6       .6
  Federal.......................................     15       10       12            .5       .4       .4
  State and local...............................    127      124      107            .7       .7       .6

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................    374      260      232           1.5      1.0       .9
  South.........................................    591      439      578           1.2       .9      1.2
  Midwest.......................................    512      386      338           1.6      1.2      1.1
  West..........................................    430      313      435           1.4      1.0      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 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.





Table 10.  Other separations levels (1) and rates (2) by industry and region, not seasonally adjusted

                                                    Levels (in thousands)                  Rates

              Industry and region                  Aug.     July     Aug.          Aug.     July     Aug.
                                                   2005     2006     2006p         2005     2006     2006p

Total...........................................    359      420      331           0.3      0.3      0.2

                   INDUSTRY

 Total private..................................    310      350      273            .3       .3       .2
  Natural resources and mining..................      6        4        4           1.0       .6       .5
  Construction..................................     27       23       14            .4       .3       .2
  Manufacturing.................................     51       43       35            .4       .3       .2
   Durable goods................................     42       32       23            .5       .4       .3
   Nondurable goods.............................      9       11       12            .2       .2       .2
  Trade, transportation, and utilities..........     61       83       73            .2       .3       .3
   Wholesale trade..............................     10       25        7            .2       .4       .1
   Retail trade.................................     39       43       49            .3       .3       .3
   Transportation, warehousing, and utilities...     12       15       17            .3       .3       .3
  Information...................................     11        6        4            .4       .2       .1
  Financial activities..........................     15       28       19            .2       .3       .2
   Finance and insurance........................     10       23       13            .2       .4       .2
   Real estate and rental and leasing...........      4        5        6            .2       .2       .2
  Professional and business services............     53       82       47            .3       .5       .3
  Education and health services.................     37       47       34            .2       .3       .2
   Educational services.........................      4        3        3            .2       .1       .1
   Health care and social assistance............     33       44       31            .2       .3       .2
  Leisure and hospitality.......................     37       20       30            .3       .1       .2
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation..........      4        1        5            .2       .1       .2
   Accommodations and food services.............     33       19       25            .3       .2       .2
  Other services................................     13       12       15            .2       .2       .3

 Government.....................................     49       70       58            .2       .3       .3
  Federal.......................................      9       11        5            .3       .4       .2
  State and local...............................     41       59       52            .2       .3       .3

                    REGION (3)

  Northeast.....................................     60       75       53            .2       .3       .2
  South.........................................    138      149      126            .3       .3       .3
  Midwest.......................................     81      121       72            .3       .4       .2
  West..........................................     81       75       80            .3       .2       .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 See footnote 5, table 1.
  p = preliminary.