Mass layoff events and initial claimants for unemployment insurance, December 2007–July 2009, seasonally adjusted Month Mass layoff events Initial claimants for unemployment insurance benefits Dec 2007 1,469 145,916 Jan 2008 1,476 149,068 Feb 1,669 183,038 Mar 1,585 161,497 Apr 1,344 135,352 May 1,701 180,558 Jun 1,717 174,748 Jul 1,535 152,499 Aug 1,887 188,951 Sep 2,290 240,721 Oct 2,204 230,330 Nov 2,333 225,639 Dec 2,275 226,117 Jan 2009 2,227 237,902 Feb 2,769 295,477 Mar 2,933 299,388 Apr 2,712 271,226 May 2,933 312,880 Jun 2,763 279,231 Jul 2,157 206,791