U.S. job openings slipped by 0.1% in June from May, but the number of openings was still up 16.6% from a year ago, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate -- a measure of job openings compared with total employment -- was 2.2% in June, unchanged from May.

Separations rose by 4.9% in June from May and were up 1.0% compared to a year ago. The separations rate rose to 3.3% from 3.2% in May. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.