The number of mass layoffs totaled 2,227 in January, a 50.9% increase over the same month last year, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Initial unemployment claims associated with the mass layoffs rose 59.6% year-over-year in January to 237,902.

A mass layoff action involves at least 50 workers from a single workplace.

Temporary help services was the industry with the highest number of initial claims for unemployment stemming from mass layoffs (not seasonally adjusted) at 25,467 claims, according to the bureau. The South was the region with the most initial claims (not seasonally adjusted) from mass layoffs at 115,630.