Mass Layoff Statistics
Welcome to the step-by-step guide on how to use the Mass Layoff Statistics one-screen query system
Mass Layoff Statistics: The Mass Layoff Statistics program is a Federal-State cooperative statistical effort which uses a standardized, automated approach to identify, describe, and track the effects of major job cutbacks, using data from each State's unemployment insurance database. Establishments which have at least 50 initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) filed against them during a consecutive 5-week period are contacted by State agencies to determine whether those separations are of at least 31 days duration, and, if so, information is obtained on the total number of persons separated, the reasons for these separations, and recall expectations. Establishments are identified according to industry classification and location, and unemployment insurance claimants are identified by such demographic characteristics as age, race, sex, ethnic group, and place of residence. The program yields information on an individual's entire spell of unemployment, to the point when regular unemployment insurance benefits are exhausted. It provides databases of establishments and claimants, both of which are used for further research and analysis.
This tool lets users query the BLS databases for specific data series. For each survey and program, make a selection for each characteristic in the order listed. As you make your selection, the remaining characteristics will filter to show only choices where data are available. After choosing the series, click on "Add to selection." If you need more data series, repeat the steps of choosing the data series you need. After you've finished finding the data series you need, click on the "Get Data" button to retrieve the data, and an HTML table with data for the most recent 10 years will display . If you desire a different time period or format, you may modify the options on the data display page, or click on the "More Formatting Options" button for additional options on refining the data retrieval results. Note: Users may not retrieve more than 200 data series in one query.
Click on one layoff data group of interest to select. If the layoff data group is selected, the Industry/Region/Demographic available for the selected layoff data group automatically appear in the next window.
For more information try pointing your browser on Layoff data.
Type all or part of a search string in the search text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.
Click on the Industry/Reason/Demographic of interest to select. If the Industry/Reason/Demographic by layoff data group view is selected, the States/Regions/Divisions available for the selected layoff data group automatically appear in the next window. To select multiple options, hold the Ctrl/Command button, and click the desired options.
For more information try pointing your browser on Industry Reason Demographics.
Type all or part of a search string in the search States/Regions/Divisions text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.
Click on the State/Region/Division of interest to select. If the State/Region/Division by Industry/Reason/Demographics view is selected, the Data Elements available for the selected Industry/Region/Demographics automatically appear in the next window
For more information try pointing your browser on States, Regions, and/or Division.
Click on each Data Element of interest to select. The Data Elements available are Layoff events, Number of separations, Total initial claimants.
For more information try pointing your browser on Data Elements.
Click Mass Layoffs check box to select monthly tables or click the Extended Mass Layoffs check box for quarterly tables.
For more information try pointing your browser on Data Series.
You must make a selection for each of the characteristics in the order listed. Once you have selected all of the characteristics, the "Add to selection" button becomes active. Click the "Add to selection" button to list the selected data series in the "Your selection" box. You can return to the characteristics boxes and make new selections to request additional data series. Click the "Get Data" button to retrieve all the selected data series.
You must make a selection for each of the characteristics in the order listed. Once you have selected all of the characteristics, the "Get Data" button becomes active. Click to retrieve the data.
Last Modified Date: February 20, 2018
United States Department of Labor
