The number of U.S. mass layoffs rose 42.6% in August compared with the same month last year on a seasonally adjusted basis, and the initial claims for unemployment insurance related to mass layoffs rose 37.2%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

In August, there were 2,690 mass layoff actions compared with 1,887 in August 2008. There were 259,307 associated initial claims for unemployment insurance in August compared with 188,951 in the same months last year.

The industry with the largest number of initial claims for unemployment benefits from mass layoffs in August was temporary help services at 6,721.

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