The number of U.S. mass layoffs rose 40.5% in July compared with the same month last year, and the initial claims for unemployment insurance related to mass layoffs rose 35.6%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

In July, there were 2,157 mass layoff actions compared with 1,535 in July 2007. There were 206,791 associated initial claims for unemployment insurance in July compared with 152,499 in the same month last year.

The industry with the largest number of initial claims for unemployment benefits from mass layoffs in July was elementary and secondary schools with 20,769 initial claims. Temporary help services was next with 20,377 initial claims.

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