Job openings were little changed in November compared to October of last year, though they were at their lowest level since March 2021, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The US had 8.79 million job openings in November, down 62,000 from October.

Job openings decreased in transportation, warehousing and utilities by 128,000. In addition, federal government job openings fell by 58,000. On the other hand, wholesale trade saw an increase of 63,000 in job openings.

Quits and layoffs also fell in November, with quits at their lowest level since February 2021 at 3.47 million, a decrease of 157,000 from October. Quits can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs.

Layoffs and discharges — involuntary separations initiated by the employer — fell by 116,000 in November to approximately 1.5 million, their lowest level since December 2022.

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