U.S. job openings fell 25.9% on a year-over-year basis in September to almost 2.5 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate fell to 1.9% in September from 2.4% a year earlier.

The number of hires fell 11.0% in September to approximately 4.0 million from 4.5 million in the same month last year. The hires rate fell to 3.1% from 3.3%.

Separations fell 11.2% in September to approximately 4.3 million from almost 4.9 million in September 2008, and the separations rate fell to 3.3% from 3.5%. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.