Employers took 1,586 mass layoff actions in November involving 152,816 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on December 23. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 persons from a single employer. The number of mass layoff events in November decreased by 65 from the prior month, while the number of associated initial claims increased by 4,757. In November, 354 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 39,465 initial claims. Over the month, the number of manufacturing events decreased slightly, while associated initial claims increased by 2,027.
The national unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in November, up from 9.6 percent the prior month and down from 10.0 percent a year earlier. In November, total non-farm payroll employment increased by 39,000 over the month and by 842,000 from a year earlier.
Industry Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
The number of mass layoff events in November was 1,676 on a not seasonally adjusted basis; the number of associated initial claims was 158,048. Over the year, the number of mass layoff events decreased by 194, and associated initial claims decreased by 6,448. Twelve of the 19 major industry sectors in the private economy reported over-the-year decreases in initial claims, led by manufacturing.
The manufacturing sector accounted for 23 percent of all mass layoff events and 26 percent of initial claims filed in November. A year earlier, manufacturing made up 28 percent of events and 33 percent of initial claims. Within manufacturing, the number of claimants in November was greatest in transportation equipment and in food. Thirteen of the 21 manufacturing subsectors experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, with the largest declines in transportation equipment and in machinery.
Geographic Distribution (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Two of the four regions and five of the nine divisions experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims due to mass layoffs in November. Among the census regions, the Midwest registered the largest over-the-year decline in initial claims. Of the geographic divisions, the East North Central had the largest over-the-year decline in initial claims.
California recorded the highest number of initial claims in November, followed by Wisconsin, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia experienced over-the-year decreases in initial claims, led by Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky and New York.
