The Monster Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: MWW) employment index fell one point in June from May to a reading of 117. Year-over-year, the index is down 46 points.

"While U.S. online job availability has remained largely flat since January, the annual pace improved during the second quarter, suggesting some expansion in underlying employer demand for workers," said Jesse Harriott, senior VP and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. "Still, current levels of online job vacancies are at their lowest since January 2005, illustrating the extent to which hiring has slowed during this recession."

Monster's index is based on a review of online job ads taken from a selection of corporate career Web sties and job boards, including Monster.