Mass Layoff Statistics

Mass Layoffs (Monthly)

July 23, 2008

In June, employers took 1,643 mass layoff actions, resulting in 165,697 unemployment insurance filings, seasonally adjusted. Layoff activity in manufacturing was the highest since August 2003. Average weekly initial claimants reached its highest June level since 2001. More...
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Extended Mass Layoffs (Quarterly)

August 15, 2008

In the second quarter of 2008, 1,534 extended mass layoff events resulted in the separation of 299,886 workers. Both layoff events and separations reached their highest second quarter levels since 2003. Layoffs due to slack work more than doubled over the year to 40,300 separations, and changes in business ownership more than quadrupled to 16,852. More...
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Current

• Mass Layoffs (Monthly) (HTML) (PDF)
• Extended Mass Layoffs (Quarterly) (HTML) (PDF)

Archived

• Archived Mass Layoffs (Monthly) Releases (1996-)
• Archived Extended Mass Layoffs (Quarterly) Releases (1996-)
• Extended Mass Layoffs Associated with Domestic and Overseas Relocations

Databases

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Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS)

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• Series Report —Already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.
• Flat files FTP Site —For those who want it all. Download a flat file of the entire database or large subset of the database.

• Extended mass layoff events and separations, selected measures, 2007 and 2008 (TXT) (PDF)
• Extended mass layoff events and separations, selected measures, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (TXT) (PDF)
• Movement of work actions by type of separation where number of separations is known by employers, 2007 and 2008 (TXT) (PDF)
• Movement of work actions by type of separation where number of separations is known by employers, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (TXT) (PDF)

• Mass Layoff Statistics Data in the United States and Domestic and Overseas Relocation (PDF 268K)
• Extended Mass Layoffs in 2006, Report 1004 (PDF 844K)
  • Archived Reports 1999 through 2005
• Needs and Alternatives for Plant Closing and Layoff Statistics
• BLS Handbook of Methods, Chapter 6, Mass Layoff Statistics

People Are Asking...

1. Does the MLS program collect information on offshoring and outsourcing?
2. Are companies having mass layoffs identified by name?
3. What are the differences between mass layoffs and extended mass layoffs?
4. Does the Mass Layoff Statistics program track all layoffs?
5. What is the industry classification basis for the MLS?
6. Does MLS track layoffs in "high-technology industries" or the "dot coms"?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the MLS program?
2. What kind of information does the MLS program provide?
3. What constitutes a mass layoff?
4. What is an Initial Claim?
5. Are companies having mass layoffs identified by name when mass layoffs occur?
6. What industry classification system does the MLS program use?
7. How are MLS program data used?
8. Are MLS data benchmarked?
9. How are data revisions indicated?
10. Why are "domestic relocation" and "overseas relocation" as reasons for layoff no longer collected?
11. Whom should I contact if I have questions regarding the MLS program?

All MLS FAQs »

• NEW NAICS 2007 Implementation in Mass Layoff Statistics

• Improvements to Mass Layoff Economic Reasons

• IMPORTANT Revision of Seasonally Adjusted Data

• Data Revision Procedure for Mass Layoff Statistics Data

• Special Note to Users of Mass Layoff Statistics Data

• Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey-- national data on employment, unemployment, earnings, and other labor market topics by demographic characteristics.
• Nonfarm Payroll Statistics from the Current Employment Statistics (National)-- monthly national data by detailed industry on employment, hours, and earnings of workers on the payrolls of nonfarm establishments.
• Nonfarm Payroll Statistics from the Current Employment Statistics (State and Area)-- monthly data on employment, hours, and earnings by industry and geographic area.
• Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages -- comprehensive employment and wage data by industry and geographic area for workers covered by State Unemployment Insurance laws.
• Occupational Employment Statistics--data on employment and wages for over 800 occupations and for about 400 nonfarm industries for the nation, plus occupational data for States and metropolitan areas.
• Local Area Unemployment Statistics-- monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for Census regions and divisions, States, counties, metropolitan areas, and many cities, by place of residence.
• National Longitudinal Surveys-- several surveys gathering information at multiple points in time about the labor market and life experiences of six groups of American men, women, and youth.
• Survey of Employer-Provided Training -- provides detailed information on training by major industry division and by size of establishment from surveys conducted in 1993 and 1995.