Extended Mass Layoffs in 2012

Transcription

1 Cornell University ILR School Federal Publications Key Workplace Documents 9-03 Extended Mass Layoffs in 0 Bureau of Labor Statistics Follow this and additional works at: Thank you for downloading an article from DigitalCommons@ILR. Support this valuable resource today! This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Key Workplace Documents at DigitalCommons@ILR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Federal Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@ILR. For more information, please contact hlmdigital@cornell.edu.

2 Extended Mass Layoffs in 0 Abstract [Excerpt] The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts the Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program to provide information on large-scale layoff events and the characteristics of the dislocated workers. This report summarizes data on extended mass layoffs for 0. The MLS program defines an extended mass layoff event as the filing of 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits against an employer during a 5-week period, with at least 50 workers separated for more than 30 days. Since 004, the scope of the layoff data series was redefined to include only the private nonfarm economy. (See the technical notes section for additional information on the concepts and definitions used in this report.) Keywords mass layoffs, unemployment, dislocated workers, unemployment insurance, geographic distribution, worksite closures Comments Suggested Citation U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (03). Extended mass layoffs in 0 (BLS Report No. 043). Washington, D.C.: Author. This article is available at DigitalCommons@ILR:

3 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS S E P T E M B E R 0 3 R E P O R T Extended Mass Layoffs in 0 period, with at least 50 workers separated for more than 30 days. Since 004, the scope of the layoff data series was redefined to include only the private nonfarm economy. (See the technical notes section for additional information on the concepts and definitions used in this report.) In 0, employers initiated 6,500 extended mass layoff events that resulted in the separation of more than.5 million workers. As indicated in table, the number of layoff events in 0 decreased to its lowest level since 007, while the number of associated separations increased to exceed the numbers reported for the previous years. Fifteen of 8 major industry sectors Contents Industry distribution of extended mass layoffs... Reasons for layoff and recall expectations... The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts the Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program to provide information on large-scale layoff events and the characteristics of the dislocated workers. This report summarizes data on extended mass layoffs for 0. The MLS program defines an extended mass layoff event as the filing of 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits against an employer during a 5-week Demographics and characteristics of claimants affected by extended mass layoffs... Geographic distribution of extended mass layoffs. Chart : Extended mass layoff separations, by reason categories, Statistical tables...5 Technical notes...3 Mass Layoffs Data Discontinued On March, 03, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the-board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million (5 percent of the current 03 appropriation), by September 30, 03. To help achieve these savings and to protect core programs, BLS eliminated two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all measuring green jobs products. BLS Reports September 03

4 registered over-the-year increases in the numbers of separations in 0, with the largest increases coming from the information, administrative and waste services, and retail trade sectors. However, layoff events and separations in the manufacturing sector declined to their lowest levels since BLS began recording annual MLS data in 996. (See table.) In 0, 35 states had lower numbers of laid-off workers than they did in 0. Fifty-seven percent of all private nonfarm employers reporting an extended mass layoff in 0 indicated they anticipated some recall of dislocated workers, up from 55 percent in 0. In 0, the average national unemployment rate was 8. percent; in 0, it was 8.9 percent. Private nonfarm payroll employment increased by. percent (about.4 million jobs), from 0 to 0. Industry distribution of extended mass layoffs Fifteen of 8 major industry sectors registered over-theyear increases in the numbers of separations in 0, with the largest increases coming from the information, administrative and waste services, and retail trade sectors. Among all sectors, firms in administrative and waste services accounted for the largest number of separations due to extended mass layoffs in 0. This represents the first occurrence in the Mass Layoffs program history that an industry other than manufacturing has recorded the greatest number of worker separations (annual data began in 996). (See table.) In 0, layoff events and separations in the manufac- turing sector declined to their lowest levels in program history. Similarly, the numbers of laid-off workers in 3 of the manufacturing subsectors decreased from the 0 levels, with the largest declines occurring in plastics and rubber products, apparel, and paper. The largest increases in separations within the manufacturing sector were reported in food and in petroleum and coal products. Reasons for layoff and recall expectations Among all economic reasons for layoff in 0, business demand factors accounted for 37 percent of the separations associated with extended mass layoffs, followed by the completion of seasonal work (3 percent). The number of workers separated because of contract completion increased from 49,7 in 0 to 357,58 in 0 the largest increase among all reasons for layoff. (See table 4 and chart.) Fifty-seven percent of the private nonfarm employers reporting an extended mass layoff in 0 indicated they anticipated recalling some dislocated workers, up from 55 percent a year earlier. Of those employers anticipating a recall, 30 percent indicated the offer would be extended to all displaced workers and 66 percent anticipated extending the offer to at least half the employees. Among those employers expecting to recall laid-off workers, 63 percent intended to do so within 6 months. Excluding extended mass layoff events due to seasonal work and vacation periods, in which employers expected to recall 93 percent of the workers, employers anticipated recalling the laidoff workers in 38 percent of the events. (See table.) However, in spite of the increasing expectation of recall, the time-frame for the recall has been trending upward, while the proportion of workers expected to be recalled has been trending downward for several years. (See table.) In 0, 8 percent of extended mass layoff events were permanent worksite closures, affecting 0 percent of all separated workers (,97 workers in total), with both figures up slightly from the prior year. Closure-related worker separations were mostly attributable to financial issues (53,67), business demand reasons (6,739), and organizational changes (6,659). (See table 4.) During the year, the manufacturing and information sectors had the largest increases in closure-related separations. (See table 5.) Demographics and characteristics of claimants affected by extended mass layoffs Of the more than.3 million initial claimants for unemployment insurance associated with extended mass layoff events in 0, 40 percent were women, essentially unchanged from the prior year. Thirty-three percent of initial claimants associated with layoff events were BLS Reports September 03

5 Chart Extended mass layoff separations, by reason categories, 00 0 Year Disaster/safety Production specific Financial issues Organizational changes Business demand Seasonal ,000 00, , , , , , , ,000 Separation The chart excludes information on layoffs due to other/miscellaneous reasons. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mass Layoff Statistics program. between the ages of 30 and 44, and 0 percent were 55 or older; both percentages essentially unchanged from the prior year. (See tables 5 and 7.) To put these percentages into context, in the total civilian labor force in 0, 47 percent were women, 3 percent were between the ages of 30 and 44, and percent were 55 or older. The average duration of insured unemployment associated with extended mass layoffs in the private nonfarm sector in 0 was.8 months (as measured by the average number of continued claims for unemployment insurance filed for the weeks that followed the initial claim and included the th day of the month). Among the 8 major industry sectors, claimants laid off from the finance and insurance sector experienced the longest average duration of insured joblessness (.8 months), unchanged from the prior year, and claimants laid off from the information sector experienced the shortest period (.3 months). Claimants in the utilities and management of companies sectors had the largest increases in average duration of joblessness (+0.5 months), and claimants in the real estate, rental and leasing sector had the largest decline (-0.4 months). (See table 9.) BLS Reports September

6 Of the seven economic reason-for-layoff groups, claimants who were laid off because of financial issues reported the longest jobless duration (.8 months), and the shortest duration occurred due to disaster and safety factors (.4 months). Fifteen percent of claimants associated with extended mass layoff events exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits in 0, down slightly from 6 percent in 0. (See table 9.) Geographic distribution of extended mass layoffs In 0, 3 states reported increased numbers of laid-off workers, led by California (+59,803). (See table 7.) Among the four Census regions, separations associated with extended mass layoff events increased in the Northeast and West and decreased in the Midwest and South. Among the nine Census divisions, the highest numbers of separations were in the Pacific and Middle Atlantic. (See table 6.) Eighty-six percent of the initial claimants associated with extended mass layoff events in 0 resided within metropolitan areas. Among the 37 metropolitan areas, Los Angeles Long Beach Santa Ana, CA, reported the highest number of initial claimants residing in the area (75,404), as well as the largest increase in the level of claims from 0 to 0 (+7,835). Six of the 0 largest over-theyear increases in residential initial claimants were located in California. During 0, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs- Marietta, GA metropolitan area recorded the largest decline (-3,559) in the number of residential initial claimants associated with extended mass layoff events. (See table.) 4 BLS Reports September 03

7 Statistical Tables BLS Reports September

8 Table. Numbers of extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, Year/quarter Layoff events Separations Initial claimants for unemployment insurance 004 First quarter,339 76,503 38,39 Second quarter,358 78,83 54,063 Third quarter ,608 48,575 Fourth quarter,47 73,967 6,049 Total 5,00 993, , First quarter,4 86,506 85,486 Second quarter,03 46,099,673 Third quarter,36 0,878 90,86 Fourth quarter,400 50,78 46,88 Total... 4,88 884,66 834, First quarter ,089 93,50 Second quarter...,353 95,964 64,97 Third quarter 99 60,54 6,764 Fourth quarter.,640 96,66 330,954 Total 4, ,969 95, First quarter,0 5,600 99,50 Second quarter.,4 78,79 59,34 Third quarter,08 60,04 73,077 Fourth quarter,84 30,59 347,5 Total 5, , ,7 008 First quarter,340 30,098 59,9 Second quarter, ,73 339,630 Third quarter,58 90, ,340 Fourth quarter 3,58 64,74 766,780 Total 8,59,56,978,670, First quarter 3, ,4 835,55 Second quarter 3,395 65,38 73,049 Third quarter, ,53 406,83 Fourth quarter,46 406, 468,577 Total,84,08,0,44, First quarter..,870 34,5 368,664 Second quarter.,008 38,6 396,44 Third quarter.,370,357 60,077 Fourth quarter.., , ,584 Total 7,47,57,34,45,766 0 First quarter..,490 5,456 58,0 Second quarter,80 37,546 34,530 Third quarter,393 35,35 9,066 Fourth quarter, , ,457 Total 6,596,,70,95,73 0 First quarter..,94 46,956 9,74 Second quarter, , ,49 Third quarter,4 99,78 8,88 Fourth quarter,3 44,49 43,79 Total 6,500,57,,336,76 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. 6 BLS Reports September 03

9 Table. Industry distribution: extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, 00 0 Industry Layoff events Separations Initial claimants for unemployment insurance Total, private nonfarm... 7,47 6,596 6,500,57,34,,70,57,,45,766,95,73,336,76 Mining ,940 5,89 0,77 8,46 5,73 0,303 Utilities 7 0 8,795,593 3, 3,66,8 4,060 Construction,63,377,69 97,437 69,597 67, 5,696 09,564 99,8 Manufacturing,4,96,050 4,8 98,97 80,35 59,38 8,976 86,94 Food ,468 57,8 6,570 60,593 58,084 6,857 Beverage and tobacco products ,8 4,30,80 4,767 6,00,687 Textile mills 8 ( ),0 5,636 ( ) 4,458 0,95 ( ) Textile product mills 3 ( ) 5,667 ( ),05,464 ( ) 3,5 Apparel ,800 7,59 3,96 6,743 8,685 4,7 Leather and allied products 3 ( ) ( ) 33 ( ) ( ) 83 ( ) ( ) Wood products ,468 6,343 3,088,035 7,679,893 Paper ,43 6,68 3,04 4,73 5,70,34 Printing and related support activities ,934 4,657 4,0 7,88 5,884 4,74 Petroleum and coal products ,87,348 4,787 3,80,84 3,609 Chemicals ,09 6,9 7,04 7,46 6,63 4,546 Plastics and rubber products ,93 7,4 3,357 5,80 5,85 3,55 Nonmetallic mineral products ,843 0,008 8,630 5,46,443 9,99 Primary metal ,8 4,873 6,598 9,676 4,90 6,38 Fabricated metal products ,459 7,94 6,39,554 8,56 8,4 Machinery ,774,305 3,507,594 3,40 5,06 Computer and electronic products ,77,973,6 6,467 0,34 0,35 Electrical equipment and appliance ,894 4,54,39 6,08 4,875,669 Transportation equipment ,809 9,08 5,80 43,374 35,948 30,840 Furniture and related products ,894 4,36,453 7,848 4,70,7 Miscellaneous manufacturing ,659 3,90 4,84 5,70 4,0 3,8 Wholesale trade ,74 5,58 0,759 7,38 5,30 8,058 Retail trade ,579 87,589 07,480 53,096 99,67 5,3 Transportation and warehousing ,57 7,367 77,347 05,0 75,463 7,038 Information ,08 75,64 8,68 76,69 4,697 6,70 Finance and insurance ,888 9,490 5,596 53,446 39,434 6,00 Real estate and rental and leasing ,035 8,70 8,537 9,575 9,770 7,488 Professional and technical services ,798 60,064 70,567 63,38 75,88 75,368 Management of companies and enterprises ,338 3,45 4,753 4,85 3,98 4,64 Administrative and waste services ,8 64,58 0,435 73,5 0,809 4,94 Educational services ,87 9,94,635 3,84,875 3,300 Health care and social assistance ,504 47,763 55,093 49,57 48,463 47,348 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ,590 4,407 49,655 34,06 36,408 36,33 Accommodation and food services ,78 05,579 3, 0,809 98,6 97,6 Other services, except public administration ,945 5,005 7,96 9,466 7,390 7,08 Unclassified 5 84,738 46,776 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September

10 Table 3. Industry distribution: extended mass layoff separations, private nonfarm sector, 50 highest six-digit NAICS industries, 00 0 Industry NAICS code Separations Rank Separations Rank Separations Rank Total, private nonfarm...,57,34,,70,57, Total, 50 highest industries... 76, ,59 84,500 Temporary help services ,669 94,4 7,84 Motion picture and video production 50 30, ,95 00,476 Highway, street, and bridge construction ,9 4 46, ,83 3 Food service contractors , , ,88 4 School and employee bus transportation ,6 4, ,966 5 Hotels and motels, except casino hotels 70 9,74 7 5,3 6 6,386 6 Department stores, except discount 45, ,538 34,763 7 Child day care services ,983 9, ,05 8 Professional employer organizations , ,94 0 8,740 9 Fruit and vegetable canning 34 0,4 0 7, ,7 0 Discount department stores 45 6,86 8 6, ,650 Supermarkets and other grocery stores ,883,53 8,65 Tax preparation services 543 3,97 9 5,987 8,553 3 Payroll services 544 8,48 3 3,3 4 7,84 4 Casino hotels 70 7,587 33, ,568 5 Power and communication system construction 3730, ,48 4,884 6 Commercial bakeries 38 96,86 6,57 7 Skiing facilities ,54 4,60 6,6 8 Scheduled passenger air transportation 48,590 89,99 06,748 9 Oil and gas pipeline construction 370,568 3,606 7,567 0 Telemarketing and other contact centers 564, ,87 6,498 Commercial banking 50 3,93 8,39 8,440 Amusement and theme parks 730,799,77 0,54 3 Nonresidential plumbing and HVAC contractors 38,67 0, ,700 4 Employment placement agencies 563 4,0 59 7, ,03 5 Nonresidential electrical contractors 38 7, , ,980 6 Industrial building construction 360,53 9, ,86 7 Commercial building construction 360 4,57 6 3, ,477 8 Teleproduction and postproduction services , ,45 9 Full-service restaurants 75 4, ,56 5 8,74 30 Mail-order houses , , ,4 3 All other nonresidential trade contractors ,4 5 5,60 4 7,633 3 Landscaping services , ,90 8 7,60 33 Convention and trade show organizers , , , Seafood product preparation and packaging 370 0, ,955 7,0 35 Other individual and family services , , ,99 36 Home centers , ,3 55 6, General medical and surgical hospitals 60 0,58 9 5, ,57 38 Nonresidential drywall contractors 383 6, , , Other technical consulting services 54690,588 35, ,45 40 Nonresidential site preparation contractors 389 5, , ,909 4 Engineering services , ,8 56 4,740 4 General warehousing and storage 4930, , ,77 43 All other amusement and recreation industries ,6 57 ( 3 ) 44 Commercial machinery repair and maintenance 830 3, , , Managing offices 554 5,08 5 3, , Other social advocacy organizations , , ,54 47 Semiconductors and related device mfg ,390 50,8 95 4,58 48 Family clothing stores , , ,49 49 HMO medical centers 649 ( 3 ) 50 3 Industries are ranked by number of separations in 0. Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero. 8 BLS Reports September 03

11 Table 4. Reason for layoff: extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, 00 0 Reason for layoff Layoff events Separations Initial claimants for unemployment insurance Total, private nonfarm, all reasons... 7,47 6,596 6,500,57,34,,70,57,,45,766,95,73,336,76 Business demand...,55,343, , ,040 46,38 50,367 58, ,80 Contract cancellation ,86 7,387 3,94 5,07 0,468 8,093 Contract completion...,46,435,640 93,450 49,7 357,58 63, ,44 476,80 Domestic competition ( ),3 489 ( ), ( ) Excess inventory/saturated market ,055,974 3,8 3,359,40 5,34 Import competition ( ),99,4 ( ),006,40 ( ) Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasonal business slowdown..., ,769 94,749 73,880 4,887 4,66 8,865 Organizational changes ,784 56,50 7,8 80,334 53,755 5,43 Business-ownership change ,543 7,58 7,040 3,974 8,840 8,37 Reorganization or restructuring of company ,4 38,9 44,088 66,360 44,95 43,4 Financial issues ,637 76,335 85,946 04,848 78,805 77,049 Bankruptcy ,57 9,30 8,97 9,06 3,030 0,56 Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability ,577 30,503 3,07 66,898 4,70 37,94 Financial difficulty ,903 6,53 4,958 8,888 3,074 8,546 Production specific ,830 6,80 4,33 8,576 8,559 5,79 Automation/technological advances ,00,04,63,46,58,935 Energy related... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Governmental regulations/intervention ,97,48 3,300,079,737,56 Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike ,335,589,55,8,407,39 Material or supply shortage... ( ) 3 4 ( ), ( ) 3, Model changeover ,457 3,80,4,876 4,64 Plant or machine repair/maintenance ,073 3,83,475,878,793,787 Product line discontinued... 4 ( ) 385 ( ), ( ),75 Disaster/safety ,0 5,046 7,900 3,5 5,8 9,484 Hazardous work environment... ( ) 5 ( ) ( ),085 ( ) ( ) 785 ( ) Natural disaster (not weather related)... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Nonnatural disaster... 0 ( ) 5,038 ( ) 94,09 ( ) 608 Extreme weather-related event... 35,73 3,06 5,838,496 3,4 7,85 Seasonal...,47,85,7 49,847 39,95 40,445 44,88 409,54 390,775 Seasonal...,93,85,77 353,375 3,645 30,54 357, 33, ,774 Vacation period school related or otherwise ,47 70,306 8,9 85,607 77,844 87,00 Other/miscellaneous...,39,5,087 65,69 99,656 4,5 65,598 00,603 08,548 Other ,434 3,79 5,897 9,703 4,954 4, Data not provided: Refusal ,333 63,38 67,080 80,34 63,335 66,98 Data not provided: Does not know ,50,483 3,75 75,57,34 7,398 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September

12 Table 5. State and selected claimant characteristics: extended mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, 0 0 State Layoff events Total initial claimants for unemployment insurance Black Hispanic origin Percent of total Women People age 55 and older Total, private nonfarm... 6,596 6,500,95,73,336, Alabama ,56 9, Alaska ,604 8, Arizona ,45 0, Arkansas ,575 0, California...,868,4 45, , Colorado ,8 9, Connecticut ,953 6, Delaware ,39, District of Columbia... 3,735, Florida ,38 8, Georgia ,56 3, Hawaii... 0 ( ),639 ( ) Idaho ,63 3, Illinois ,988 76, Indiana ,048 9, Iowa ,39 4, Kansas ,73 7, Kentucky ,80 3, Louisiana ,440, Maine ,930 4, Maryland ,733 4, Massachusetts ,766, Michigan ,85 5, Minnesota ,54 6, Mississippi ,0 3, Missouri ,079 8, Montana ,663 3, Nebraska ,895, Nevada ,94 0, New Hampshire... 4,084, New Jersey ,843 44, New Mexico ,0 4, New York ,975 75, North Carolina ,336 8, North Dakota ,86, Ohio ,076 39, Oklahoma ,08, Oregon ,346, Pennsylvania ,794 63, Rhode Island ,89, South Carolina ,505 6, South Dakota... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Tennessee ,7 0, Texas ,09 35, Utah ,973 4, Vermont ,96, Virginia ,573 6, Washington ,8 3, West Virginia ,5 3, Wisconsin ,853 9, Wyoming... ( ) 7 ( ), Puerto Rico ,68 4, Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Data starting in June 0 may not be comparable to prior data due to improvements in state MLS data processing. NOTE: Dash represents zero. 0 BLS Reports September 03

13 Table 6. Claimant race and ethnicity: percent of initial claimants for unemployment insurance, by industry and reason for layoff, private nonfarm sector, 0 0 White Black Percent of total race/ethnicity Hispanic origin American Indian or Alaska Native Asian or Pacific Islander Total, private nonfarm Industry Mining Utilities Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing Information Finance and insurance Real estate and rental and leasing Professional and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Administrative and waste services Educational services Health care and social assistance Arts, entertainment, and recreation Accommodation and food services Other services, except public administration Unclassified establishments Reason for layoff Business demand Contract cancellation Contract completion Domestic competition Excess inventory/saturated market Import competition Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasona business slowdown Organizational changes Business-ownership change Reorganization or restructuring of company Financial issues Bankruptcy Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability Financial difficulty Production specific Automation/technological advances Energy related Governmental regulations/intervention Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike Material or supply shortage Model changeover Plant or machine repair/maintenance Product line discontinued Disaster/safety Hazardous work environment Natural disaster (not weather related) Nonnatural disaster Extreme weather-related event Seasonal Seasonal Vacation period school related or otherwise Other/miscellaneous Other Data not provided: Refusal Data not provided: Does not know Measure Because of some nonreporting, sums of percentages within age and gender may not equal 00.0 percent. Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September 03

14 Table 7. Claimant age and gender: percent of initial claimants for unemployment insurance, by industry and reason for layoff, private nonfarm sector, 0 0 Percent of total by age Percent of total by gender Measure Less than 30 years or older Men Women Total, private nonfarm Industry Mining Utilities Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing Information Finance and insurance Real estate and rental and leasing Professional and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Administrative and waste services Educational services Health care and social assistance Arts, entertainment, and recreation Accommodation and food services Other services, except public administration Unclassified establishments Reason for layoff Business demand Contract cancellation Contract completion Domestic competition Excess inventory/saturated market Import competition Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasona business slowdown Organizational changes Business-ownership change Reorganization or restructuring of company Financial issues Bankruptcy Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability Financial difficulty Production specific Automation/technological advances Energy related Governmental regulations/intervention Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike Material or supply shortage Model changeover Plant or machine repair/maintenance Product line discontinued Disaster/safety Hazardous work environment Natural disaster (not weather related) Nonnatural disaster Extreme weather-related event Seasonal Seasonal Vacation period school related or otherwise Other/miscellaneous Other Data not provided: Refusal Data not provided: Does not know Because of some nonreporting, sums of percentages within age and gender may not equal 00.0 percent. Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September 03

15 Table 8. Claimants for unemployment insurance associated with extended mass layoff events, by state, private nonfarm sector, 0 State Initial claims for unemployment insurance Continued claims without earnings Number Average number filed per initial claimant Final payments for unemployment insurance Number Percentage of initial claimants receiving final payments Total, private nonfarm,336,76,347, , Alabama 9,089 6,93.8,070.8 Alaska 8,5 5,360.9, Arizona 0,4 0,540.0,04.8 Arkansas 0,04,85.,00 0. California 588,039 9, , Colorado 9,079,476.4, Connecticut 6,90 9,465.8, Delaware,95 3, District of Columbia,597 4, Florida 8,33 4,5.3 4, Georgia 3,59,36.7 3, Hawaii ( 3 ) ( 3 ).7 ( 3 ) 6.0 Idaho 3,48 6, Illinois 76,580 55,6.0, Indiana 9,753 35,050.8,438.3 Iowa 4,440 0, Kansas 7,04 7,544.5, Kentucky 3,60 4,099.3, Louisiana,57 8,803.6,35.5 Maine 4,48 9, Maryland 4 4,766 35,06.4, Massachusetts,005 5,85., Michigan 5,98 53,07.0 5, Minnesota 6,59 35,55.,0.8 Mississippi 3,43 8, Missouri 8,703 37,346.0, Montana 3,036 3, Nebraska,99, Nevada... 0,76,909. 3, New Hampshire...,650 4, New Jersey... 44,534 9,994. 6, New Mexico... 4,944 3,043.6,067.6 New York 75,860 47, , North Carolina 8,63 9,469.4, North Dakota,409 3, Ohio 39,849 73,87.8 4,386.0 Oklahoma,574 7, Oregon,07 3, ,94 5. Pennsylvania 63,95 0, ,4. Rhode Island,34 3, South Carolina 6,046,589.9, South Dakota ( 3 ) ( 3 ).7 Tennessee 0,887 7, ,06 8. Texas 35,6 76,07. 8,056.8 Utah 4,594 6, Vermont,94, Virginia 6,774 30,05.8, Washington 3,84 33,0.4 3, West Virginia 3,9 8, Wisconsin 9,943 48,60.6, Wyoming,, Puerto Rico 4,365 33,67.3, The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program tracks continued claim activity for initial claimants associated with extended mass layoffs once a month during the Current Population Survey (CPS) reference week, which is usually the week including the th day of the month. Continued claims with earnings are excluded because individuals who make such claims are classified as employed in the CPS. Final payment information for MLS claimants is collected weekly. (See the technical note for additional information.) 3 4 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Data starting in June 0 may not be comparable to prior data due to improvements in state MLS data processing. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September

16 Table 9. Claimants for unemployment insurance associated with extended mass layoff events, by industry and reason for layoff, private nonfarm sector, 0 Measure Initial claims for unemployment insurance Continued claims without earnings Number Average number filed per initial claimant Final payments for unemployment insurance Number Percentage of initial claimants receiving final payments Total, private nonfarm,336,76,347, , Industry Mining 0,303 6,588.6,4.0 Utilities 4,060 8, Construction 99,8 33,389.7,990.5 Manufacturing 86,94 370, , Wholesale trade 8,058 43, , Retail trade 5,3 0, ,93 8. Transportation and warehousing 7,038 06, , Information 6,70 3,59.3 7,3 0.6 Finance and insurance 6,00 73, , Real estate and rental and leasing 7,488,57.6, Professional and technical services 75,368 34,83.8 6,875.4 Management of companies and enterprises 4,64,6.6,9 7.8 Administrative and waste services 4,94 44, , Educational services 3,300 7,589.,6 9.6 Health care and social assistance 47,348 08,33.3 7,3 5.3 Arts, entertainment, and recreation 36,33 6,6.7 5, Accommodation and food services 97,6 43, , Other services, except public administration 7,08 33,4.0, Unclassified establishments,776 3, Reason for layoff Business demand ,80 907, , Contract cancellation... 8,093 40,00. 4, Contract completion ,80 704, , Domestic competition... ( 3 ) ( 3 ).3 ( 3 ) 0.8 Excess inventory/saturated market... 5,34 4, Import competition... ( 3 ) ( 3 ).5 ( 3 ).4 Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasonal business slowdown... 8,865 56,3.9 3, Organizational changes... 5,43 35,84.6 4,6 8.4 Business-ownership change... 8,37,46.6,848. Reorganization or restructuring of company... 43,4 4,45.7, Financial issues... 77,049 7, ,30 5. Bankruptcy... 0,56 63, , Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability... 37,94 98, ,5 6.9 Financial difficulty... 8,546 55, , Production specific... 5,79 35,507.3, Automation/technological advances...,935 3, Energy related... Governmental regulations/intervention...,56 6, Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike...,39, Material or supply shortage Model changeover... 4,64 3, Plant or machine repair/maintenance...,787 3, Product line discontinued...,75 5, Disaster/safety... 9,484 3, Hazardous work environment... ( 3 ) ( 3 ) 3.8 ( 3 ) 4. Natural disaster (not weather related)... ( 3 ) ( 3 ). ( 3 ). Nonnatural disaster , Extreme weather-related event... 7,85 9, Seasonal ,775 68,8.7 49,498.7 Seasonal , , , Vacation period school related or otherwise... 87,00 46, , Other/miscellaneous... 08, ,8.7 33, Other... 4, 9,340. 3,46. Data not provided: Refusal... 66,98 04, , Data not provided: Does not know... 7,398,77.7 0, Other selected measures Worksite closures 87,34 53,49.9 4, Recall expected 807,960,95, ,5.9 No recall expected 0, ,83.5 5, The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program tracks continued claim activity for initial claimants associated with extended mass layoffs once a month during the Current Population Survey (CPS) reference week, which is usually the week including the th day of the month. Continued claims with earnings are excluded because individuals who make such claims are classified as employed in the CPS. Final payment information for MLS claimants is collected weekly. (See the technical note for additional information.) Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. 3 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero. 4 BLS Reports September 03

17 Table 0. Unemployment insurance benefit exhaustion rates by selected claimant characteristics, private nonfarm sector, 0 Characteristic Initial claims for unemployment insurance Final payments for unemployment insurance Percentage of initial claimants receiving final payments Total, private nonfarm,336,76 04, Age Under 30 years of age 87,046 44, ,303 66, ,5 46, years of age or over... 7,3 47, Not available, Gender Male 800,50, Female 534,083 9, Not available..., Race/ethnicity White 706,0 93, Black 8,450 35, Hispanic origin 94,958 48, American Indian or Alaska Native 0,37, Asian or Pacific Islander 46,48 8, Not available 96,47 5, Final payment information for Mass Layoff Statistics claimants is collected weekly. (See the technical note for additional information.. Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia BLS Reports September

18 Table. The 50 metropolitan areas with the largest number of initial claimants associated with extended mass layoff events in 0, by residency of claimants, private nonfarm sector 0 0 Metropolitan area Initial claimants for unemployment insurance Rank Initial claimants for unemployment insurance Rank Total, 37 metropolitan areas,068,30,4,573 Total, top 50 metropolitan areas 780,44 897,7 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif. 0,569 75,404 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa. 75,5 75,6 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. 46, ,485 3 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif. 38,7 5 48,09 4 Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill.-Ind.-Wis. 48, ,40 5 San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif. 9,6 6 3,645 6 Sacramento Arden-Arcade Roseville, Calif. 7,3 8,938 7 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. 5,78 9 8,655 8 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. 3. 0,08 7 8,484 9 Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev. 9, ,309 0 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif.,8 6,5 Fresno, Calif. 0, 5 3,58 Pittsburgh, Pa. 3,89 0,874 3 Modesto, Calif. 9,0 8,004 4 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.,379 3,749 5 Stockton, Calif. 9,089 7,390 6 St. Louis, Mo.-Ill.,76,389 7 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas 0,688 4,80 8 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. 8, ,748 9 Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. 6, ,484 0 Baltimore-Towson, Md. 3 6, ,38 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. 8,79 9,0 Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 4, ,38 3 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.-N.H. 6,7 30 7,465 4 Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz. 8,03 5 6,756 5 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis. 8,08 4 6,473 6 Kansas City, Mo.-Kan. 3, ,47 7 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wis. 8,736 6,77 8 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas 6, ,9 9 Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. 6, ,88 30 Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif. 5,5 36 5,65 3 Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. 5, ,57 3 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla. 8, , Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga. 8,75 3 5,66 34 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va. 3 5, ,48 35 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio 7,3 7 5, Toledo, Ohio 3, , Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.-N.C. 6, , Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y. 7, ,7 39 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas 3,08 6 4,6 40 Rochester, N.Y. 6,9 34 4,43 4 Indianapolis-Carmel, Ind. 3, ,93 4 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 3, , Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif. 3, , Merced, Calif. 3,36 6 3, Columbus, Ohio 4, , Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas, , Salinas, Calif. 3, , Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa.-N.J. 4, , Peoria, Ill.,5 85 3, Metropolitan areas are ranked by the number of initial claims in 0. Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data starting in June 0 may not be comparable to prior data due to improvements in state MLS data processing. NOTE: The geographic boundaries of the metropolitan areas shown in this table are defined in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Bulletin 0-0, December, BLS Reports September 03

19 Table. Summary of employer expectations of a recall from extended mass layoffs, private nonfarm sector, Percent of layoff events Nature of recall All layoff events Anticipate a recall Timeframe Within 6 months Within 3 months Size of recall At least half All workers Layoff events due to seasonal work and vacation period Anticipate a recall Timeframe Within 6 months Within 3 months Size of recall At least half All workers All layoff events, excluding those due to seasonal work and vacation period Anticipate a recall Timeframe Within 6 months Within 3 months Size of recall At least half All workers Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia BLS Reports September

20 Table 3. Distribution of extended mass layoff events with expected recall, by industry and reason for layoff, private nonfarm sector, Measure Percent of layoff events Total, private nonfarm Industry Mining Utilities Construction Manufacturing Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation and warehousing Information Finance and insurance Real estate and rental and leasing Professional and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Administrative and waste services Educational services Health care and social assistance Arts, entertainment, and recreation Accommodation and food services Other services, except public administration Unclassified establishments Reason for layoff Business demand Contract cancellation Contract completion Domestic competition... ( ) ( ) Excess inventory/saturated market... ( ) ( ) Import competition Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasonal business slowdown Organizational changes Business-ownership change Reorganization or restructuring of company Financial issues Bankruptcy Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability... ( ) ( ) Financial difficulty Production specific Automation/technological advances Energy related Governmental regulations/intervention... ( ) ( ) Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike Material or supply shortage Model changeover Plant or machine repair/maintenance Product line discontinued Disaster/safety Hazardous work environment Natural disaster (not weather related) Nonnatural disaster Extreme weather-related event Seasonal Seasonal Vacation period school related or otherwise Other/miscellaneous Other Data not provided: Refusal... Data not provided: Does not know Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Use of this reason began with data from the first quarter of 007. NOTE: Dash represents zero. 8 BLS Reports September 03

21 Table 4. Permanent worksite closures: extended mass layoff events and separations by primary reason for layoff, private nonfarm sector, Reason for layoff Layoff events Separations Total, all reasons , ,647 37,333 9,34 03,68,97 Business demand ,480 73,808 33,43 4,055 6,739 Contract cancellation ,453 5,98 6,5 3,870 0, Contract completion ,59 7,4 4,73 5,778 3,458 Domestic competition , ,384 79,67 Excess inventory/saturated market ( ) 6 ( ),064,069 ( ),35 ( ) Import competition ( ) 4 ( ) 6,046,37 ( ),0 ( ) Slack work/insufficient demand/nonseasonal business slowdown ,578 56,577 0,485 0,666 0,503 Organizational changes ,435 4,430 5,79 8,575 6,659 Business-ownership change ,379,90 0,7 5,57 0,795 Reorganization or restructuring of company ,056 8,58 4,96 3,48 5,864 Financial issues ,787 09,509 5,737 50,96 53,67 Bankruptcy ,779 4,348,305 7,59,990 Cost control/cost cutting/increase profitability ,00 4,38 6,089,437 3,70 Financial difficulty ,998 4,779 4,343 0,68 7,979 Production specific ,45 3,65,480,90 3,7 Automation/technological advances... 3 ( ) ( ) 56 ( ) ( ) Energy related... 3 ( ) 50 ( ) Governmental regulations/intervention... ( ) ,54 ( ),04 60,5 Labor dispute/contract negotiations/strike... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Material or supply shortage... 3 ( ) 9 ( ) Model changeover... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Plant or machine repair/maintenance... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Product line discontinued... ( ) 8 ( ) ( ) 9 ( ),386 ( ) ( ),558 Disaster/safety... ( ) ( ) ( ) 5 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ),056 ( ) Hazardous work environment... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Natural disaster (not weather related)... ( ) ( ) Nonnatural disaster... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Extreme weather-related event... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Seasonal... ( ) ( ) ( ) 3 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 47 ( ) Seasonal... ( ) ( ) ( ) 3 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 47 ( ) Vacation period school related or otherwise... Other/miscellaneous ,09 7,768 4,378 6,38 0,73 Other ,94 5,47,068 5,6 4,699 Data not provided: Refusal... 6 ( ) ( ) ( ),5 ( ) ( ) ( ) Data not provided: Does not know... ( ) 8 ( ) ( ),960 ( ),30 ( ) ( ) Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. For additional information see the technical note. NOTE: Dash represents zero. BLS Reports September

22 Table 5. Permanent worksite closures: extended mass layoff events and separations by major industry sector, private nonfarm sector, Industry Layoff events Separations Total, private nonfarm , ,647 37,333 9,34 03,68,97 Mining ( ) 9 7 ( ) 5 ( ) 4, ( ),399 Utilities ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Construction ,783 4,859 4,497 4,07,6 Manufacturing ,487 9,476 37,7 33,579 38,37 Wholesale trade ,59 7,88 3,653 3,779 6,008 Retail trade ,38 66,679 9,879,68 9,5 Transportation and warehousing ,844,5 5,384 4,886 7,69 Information ,059 4,838,398,370 5,63 Finance and insurance ,367,303 8,7 3,349 6,60 Real estate and rental and leasing ,645 6,043,508,79 Professional and technical services ,79 5,,634 4,79,898 Management of companies and enterprises ( ) ( ),45,098,4 ( ) ( ) Administrative and waste services ,073 9,383 8, 4,40 3,498 Educational services ( ) 5 ( ) ( ) 0 ( ) 57 ( ) ( ),387 Health care and social assistance ,337 4,4 6,099 3,896 6,49 Arts, entertainment, and recreation ( ) 9,00,59,3 ( ) 804 Accommodation and food services ,789 7,9 8,88 5,3 4,676 Other services, except public administration ,9, Unclassified establishments Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. NOTE: Dash represents zero. 0 BLS Reports September 03

23 Table 6. Census region and division: extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, 00 0 Census region and division Layoff events Separations Initial claimants for unemployment insurance United States... 7,47 6,596 6,500,57,34,,70,57,,45,766,95,73,336,76 Northeast...,545,30,5 38,754 84,4 99,50 86,40 3,6 3,9 New England ,605 39,05 34,3 37,549 30,550 30,3 Middle Atlantic...,30,088,06 96,49 45,397 65,78 48,853 00,6 83,689 South...,377,78,06 47,990 07,85 86,376 85,304 33,767 80,87 South Atlantic ,963 09,965 89,534 68,75 30,368 84,43 East South Central ,99 4,888 43,033 48,89 43,84 37,009 West South Central ,098 54,999 53,809 68,38 60,5 59,405 Midwest...,67,537,47 8,874 6,7 4,490 9,96 68,633 43,98 East North Central...,59,74,09,73 00,9 83,36 6,339 3,50 9,053 West North Central ,60 60,94 59,9 65,857 55,483 5,45 West...,654,480, ,56 459,65 68,845 55,864 56,7 698,330 Mountain ,584 69,73 79,377 60,455 50,567 57,067 Pacific...,75,53,44 407,93 389, ,468 49,409 5,44 64,63 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. NOTE: The states (and the District of Columbia) that make up the census divisions are as follows: New England Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Atlantic New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; South Atlantic Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia; East South Central Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; West South Central Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas; East North Central Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; West North Central Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Mountain Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; and Pacific Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. BLS Reports September 03

24 Table 7. State distribution: extended mass layoff events, separations, and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, private nonfarm sector, 00 0 State Layoff events Separations Initial claimants for unemployment insurance Total, private nonfarm... 7,47 6,596 6,500,57,34,,70,57,,45,766,95,73,336,76 Alabama ,75 9,836 8,33,74 0,56 9,089 Alaska ,68 4,044,508,055 8,604 8,5 Arizona ,74,43 4,05,844,45 0,4 Arkansas ,38 8,036 8,80 7,586 9,575 0,04 California...,984,868,4 356,79 333,67 493,40 43,866 45, ,039 Colorado ,05,95 3,999 9,806 6,8 9,079 Connecticut ,775 0,44 6,90,0 6,953 6,90 Delaware ,990,43,403,77 3,39,95 District of Columbia... 3,50,764,596,50,735,597 Florida ,590 37,573,953 64,5 36,38 8,33 Georgia ,54 7,59 3,475 4,096 8,56 3,59 Hawaii ( ),53,699 ( ),43,639 ( ) Idaho ,6 6,538 4,333 3,989 5,63 3,48 Illinois ,890 80,573 74,5 86,397 79,988 76,580 Indiana ,835,43 3,70 0,34,048 9,753 Iowa ,83 4,639 3,507 8,545 7,39 4,440 Kansas ,843 5,596 7,9 8,996 5,73 7,04 Kentucky ,40 3,893 8,844,500,80 3,60 Louisiana ,59 9,098 3,83 4,075 4,440,57 Maine ,0 5,36 5,6 4,576 3,930 4,48 Maryland ,788,084 8,43,80 9,733 4,766 Massachusetts ,97,883 3,30,83 0,766,005 Michigan ,798,68 4,058 3,78 6,85 5,98 Minnesota ,609,348 0,675 8,55 9,54 6,59 Mississippi ,077 5,305 5,667 4,979 5,0 3,43 Missouri ,56 3,05 4,7 3,84 9,079 8,703 Montana ,4 4,50 5,64 3,336,663 3,036 Nebraska ,7 3,845,56,87,895,99 Nevada ,93 3,647,47 6,845,94 0,76 New Hampshire ,67 3,86 3,647,789,084,650 New Jersey ,004 44,695 48,05 44,875 43,843 44,534 New Mexico ,387 7,508 7,0 6,000 5,0 4,944 New York ,8 54,803 69,307 8,5 89,975 75,860 North Carolina ,38 0,53 7,87 33,5,336 8,63 North Dakota ,433,89,986 3,005,86,409 Ohio ,466 46,77 4,30 54,566 47,076 39,849 Oklahoma ,98 3,583,840 3,56 3,08,574 Oregon ,97 3,68,649,378 4,346,07 Pennsylvania ,964 45,899 47,766 85,87 66,794 63,95 Rhode Island ,8,95,54 4,6,89,34 South Carolina ,974 8,595 5,64 6,608 6,505 6,046 South Dakota... ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Tennessee ,699 3,854 0,389 9,67 5,7 0,887 Texas ,60 4,8 8,354 43,4 33,09 35,6 Utah ,35 9,40 8,88 6,48 4,973 4,594 Vermont ,794 4,46,488,6 3,96,94 Virginia ,947 7,095 4,70,953 9,573 6,774 Washington ,947 7,006 0,47 4,967 5,8 3,84 West Virginia ,33 3,74 5,8 3,347 3,5 3,9 Wisconsin ,84 38,780 9, 4,784 37,853 9,943 Wyoming... ( ) ( ) 7 ( ) ( ) 3,889 ( ) ( ), Puerto Rico ,353 9,449 7,87 4,54 8,68 4,365 Data on layoffs were reported by employers in all states and the District of Columbia. 3 Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Data starting in June 0 may not be comparable to prior data due to improvements in state MLS data processing. BLS Reports September 03

25 Technical Notes The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program is a federalstate program that uses a standardized, automated approach to identify, describe, and track the effects of major job cutbacks, using data from each state s unemployment insurance (UI) database. Employers that have at least 50 initial claims for unemployment insurance filed against them during a consecutive 5-week period are contacted by the state agency to determine whether these separations last more than 30 days; and, if so, the state obtains information on the total number of persons separated and the reasons for these separations. Employers are identified according to industry classification and location; unemployment insurance claimants are identified by such demographic factors as age, race, sex, ethnic group, and place of residence. The MLS program yields information on an individual s entire spell of unemployment, to the point when regular unemployment insurance benefits are exhausted. Beginning with data for 004, the scope of extended mass layoffs and plant closings was redefined to cover only the private nonfarm economy. Therefore, extended mass layoff information for agriculture and government are no longer collected. With the release of the extended mass layoff data from the first quarter of 007, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) introduced improvements to the presentation of data by including economic reasons for extended mass layoffs. Thus, reason-for-layoff data beginning with the first quarter of 007 are not strictly comparable with data from previous quarters. This report uses the latest metropolitan area definitions as published in the Office of Management and Budget Bulletin 0-0 and the 0 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) definitions. Definitions Continued claim. A claim filed after the initial claim, by mail, telephone, or in person, for a waiting-period credit or payment for a certified week of unemployment. The MLS program collects continued claims for week each month generally the calendar week that includes the th day of the month; this week is referred to as the reference week because of its use in the Current Population Survey (CPS) as the basis for monthly unemployment. Employer. A firm covered by state unemployment insurance laws at which one predominant type of economic activity is conducted. Extended mass layoff event. A layoff defined by the filing of 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits against an employer during a 5-week period, with at least 50 workers separated for more than 30 days. Such layoffs involve both people subject to recall and those who are terminated. Final payment. The last payment received by a person who has exhausted all of his or her regular unemployment insurance benefits. Initial claimant. A person who files any notice of unemployment to initiate a request either for a determination of entitlement to and eligibility for compensation or for a subsequent period of unemployment within a benefit year or period of eligibility. Layoff. The separation of people from an employer as part of a mass layoff event. Such layoffs involve both people who are subject to recall and those who are terminated. Mass layoff. Fifty or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits filed against an employer during a 5-week period, regardless of the duration of the layoff. Movement of work. The work activities performed at a worksite by the company s employees are reassigned in one of the following ways: ) to another worksite within the company; ) to another company under formal arrangements at the same worksite; or 3) to another company under formal arrangements at another worksite. Movement-of-work separations. The number of separations specifically associated with movement-of-work actions. Movement-of-work action. Employer-confirmed relocation of work within the same company or to other companies, BLS Reports September