U.S. Job openings fell 35.9% year over year in August to approximately 2.4 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate fell to 1.8% in from 2.6% a year ago.

The number of hires fell 13.4% year over year in August to 4.0 million. The hires rate fell to 3.1% from 3.4%.

Separations fell 12.8% year over year in August to approximately 4.3 million, and the separations rate declined to 3.3% from 3.6%. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.