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Mass layoffs reach highest levels on record

April 23, 2009

Mass layoffs and their associated initial claims for unemployment benefits reached their highest levels on record in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of mass layoffs rose 85.0% year-over-year in March to 2,933, and initial unemployment claims associated with mass layoffs rose 85.4% to 299,388, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the bureau.

Temporary help services was the industry with the highest number of initial jobless claims at 9,964 (not seasonally adjusted).

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