Mass layoffs rose in May, ending a two-month decline, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of mass layoff events — where 50 or more workers are laid off from a single workplace — rose 8.5 percent from the previous month.

Mass layoffs increased to 1,301 in May from 1,119 in April.

Initial unemployment claims from mass layoffs increased 9.4 percent to 127,821 in May, compared with 116,849 in April.

“Temporary help services” was the industry with the most initial claims due to mass layoff events in May with 11,779 initial claims, according to numbers that were not seasonally adjusted. “Food service contractors” with 10,421 and “child day care services” with 10,327 claims followed.

The BLS will discontinue reporting on mass layoffs effective with the May 2013 data issued today because of federal spending cuts prompted by sequestration.

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