Job Openings and Labor Turnover: February 2022

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

The number of job openings was little changed at 11.3 million on the last business day of February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Hires edged up to 6.7 million while total separations were little changed at 6.1 million. Within separations, the quits rate was little changed at 2.9 percent and the layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged at 0.9 percent. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, by four geographic regions, and by establishment size class.

Job Openings

On the last business day of February, the number and rate of job openings were little changed at 11.3 million and 7.0 percent, respectively. Job openings decreased in finance and insurance (-63,000) and in nondurable goods manufacturing (-39,000). Job openings increased in arts, entertainment, and recreation (+32,000); educational services (+26,000); and federal government (+23,000). Job openings decreased in the Midwest region and increased in the West region. (See table 1.)

Hires

In February, the number of hires edged up to 6.7 million (+263,000). The hires rate was little changed at 4.4 percent. Hires increased in construction (+75,000). Hires decreased in information (-29,000). The number of hires was little changed in all four regions. (See table 2.)

Separations

Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm.

In February, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 6.1 million and 4.1 percent, respectively. Total separations decreased in information (-45,000) and in finance and insurance (-41,000). The number of total separations was little changed in all four regions. (See table 3.)

In February, the number and rate of quits were little changed at 4.4 million and 2.9 percent, respectively. Quits increased in retail trade (+74,000); durable goods manufacturing (+22,000); and state and local government education (+14,000). Quits decreased in finance and insurance (-30,000). The number of quits was little changed in all four regions. (See table 4.)

In February, the number of layoffs and discharges was little changed at 1.4 million. The rate was unchanged at 0.9 percent. Layoffs and discharges decreased in information (-60,000). The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed in all four regions. (See table 5.)

The number of other separations was little changed in February at 355,000. Other separations increased in retail trade (+20,000) and in information (+9,000). The other separations level decreased in finance and insurance (-19,000); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-16,000); and real estate and rental and leasing (-6,000). Other separations were little changed in all four regions. (See table 6.)

Net Change in Employment

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle. Net employment change results from the relationship between hires and separations. When the number of hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hires level is steady or declining. Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even if the hires level is steady or rising.

Over the 12 months ending in February 2022, hires totaled 77.0 million and separations totaled 70.6 million, yielding a net employment gain of 6.4 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.

Establishment Size Class

In February, the quits rate increased in large establishments with 1,000 to 4,999 employees. For a more in-depth description of the JOLTS establishment size class estimates, please visit www.bls.gov/jlt/sizeclassmethodology.htm.