U.S. job openings fell 33.6% in June from a year ago to approximately 2.6 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate fell to 1.9% from 2.7% in June 2008.

The number of hires fell 21.5% in June compared with June 2008 to approximately 3.8 million. The hires rate slipped to 2.9% from 3.5%.

Separations declined 12.6% over the year in June to 4.3 million, and the separations rate fell to 3.3% from 3.6%. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.