Mass layoffs jumped in November, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of mass layoff events — where 50 or more workers are laid off from a single workplace — were up 29.3 percent from the previous month.

Initial claims for unemployment insurance caused by mass layoff events in November rose by 32.3 percent from the previous month.

Mass layoff data for November reflect the impact of Hurricane Sandy on workers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

“Highway, street, and bridge construction” was the industry with the most initial claims due to mass layoff events in November with 15,458 initial claims, according to numbers that were not seasonally adjusted. “Temporary help services” was next with 14,456 initial claims.

Click on charts below to enlarge.