Hires and separation rates, November 2009

The hires rate was essentially unchanged in November at 3.2 percent. The total separations, or turnover, rate was little changed in November and remained low at 3.3 percent.

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The hires rate has remained between 3.0 percent and 3.2 percent since February 2009 and was essentially unchanged in every industry, but increased in the South in November.

After falling by 1.4 million from the most recent peak in December 2006, the number of quits held steady from April 2009 to October 2009. Quits increased to 2.0 million in November 2009.

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The number of layoffs and discharges at the total nonfarm level was little changed in November at 2.1 million. The level peaked at 2.6 million in January 2009; the most recent trough was 1.6 million in January 2006.

The percentage of total separations at the total nonfarm level attributable to the individual components has varied over time. The proportion of quits had exceeded the proportion of layoffs and discharges every month from the beginning of the series, in December 2000, until November 2008, when layoffs and discharges became the larger contributor to total separations.

These data are from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to revision. Find additional information in "Job Openings and Labor Turnover — November 2009" (HTML) (PDF), news release USDL-10-0008. Total separations includes quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations), and other separations (including retirements).