Person adjusting blocks with the letters h-i-r-e and f-i-r-e


The amount of job openings in the United States have risen, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report. The report shows 7.8 million job openings in May, which is up from 7.4 million in April.  

The BLS’ report also chronicled hires and separations. Across all industries, there were 5.5 million hires in May, with a rate of hire of 4.6 percent. With much news coverage surrounding layoffs by the federal government, it’s no surprise job openings in that sector decreased by 39,000. Job openings rose in accommodation and food services by 314,000. Finance and insurance also saw a boost, with jobs rising in that sector by 91,000. 

The report also tracks total separations across the U.S. workforce, which includes quits, layoffs, firings, and other ways employees leave jobs, such as retirement, death, disability and transfers. There were 5.2 million separations in May. For the fifth consecutive month, the rate of separation was 3.3 percent. Quits were the most popular form of separation at 3.3 million, followed by layoffs and discharges, at 1.6 million, and other separations at 349,000. 

Layoffs and discharges decreased at operations with less than 10 employees. Hires, job openings, and total separations showed little to no change at establishments with 5,000 or more employees.