Mass Layoff Statistics Home Page

The Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program collects reports on mass layoff actions that result in workers being separated from their jobs. Monthly mass layoff numbers are from establishments which have at least 50 initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) filed against them during a 5-week period. Extended mass layoff numbers (issued quarterly) are from a subset of such establishments--where private sector nonfarm employers indicate that 50 or more workers were separated from their jobs for at least 31 days.

General Overview
Economic News Releases
Special Notices
Get Detailed MLS Statistics
Tables Created by BLS
Publications and Other Documentation
Related Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us

General Overview:

Data Available | Coverage | Sources of Data | Forms of Publication | Uses of the Data

Economic News Releases:

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-)

Special Notices:

Get Detailed MLS Statistics:

Most Requested Statistics--Select from lists of the most popular MLS statistics.
Create Customized Tables (one screen) --this application requires a Java-enabled browser. Choose the data you want from BLS databases on a simple, one-screen form.
Create Customized Tables (multiple screens) --a form-based query application which allows you to obtain BLS time series data based on choices you make.
Series Report--Already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.
Flat files (FTP)--For those who want it all. Download a flat file of the entire database or large subset of the database.

Tables Created by BLS:

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)

Publications and Other Documentation:

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-

Needs and Alternatives for Plant Closing and Layoff Statistics
BLS Handbook of Methods, Chapter 6, Mass Layoff Statistics

Related Links:

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.

Latest Numbers

Seasonally Adjusted:

Total Mass Layoff Events
1,626 in May 2008

Change in Total Mass Layoff Events
+318 in May 2008

Total Mass Layoff Initial Claimants
171,387 in May 2008

Change in Total Mass Layoff Initial Claimants
+37,473 in May 2008

Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Events
1,496 in May 2008

Change in Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Events
+310 in May 2008

Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Initial Claimants
161,912 in May 2008

Change in Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Initial Claimants
+37,859 in May 2008

Not Seasonally Adjusted:

Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Events
1,111(p) in 1st Qtr of 2008

4-Quarter Change in Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Events
+1(p) since 1st Qtr of 2007

Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Separations
188,326(p) in 1st Qtr of 2008

4-Quarter Change in Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Separations
-37,274(p) since 1st Qtr of 2007

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» Click on the icon for historical data.

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"?

Send us your question

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