The quits rate for the month of May held relatively steady at 4.3 million, a slight decrease from April, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The quits rate was also little changed, coming in at 2.8% after April’s 2.9%.
There were 11.3 million open jobs in May, a 427,000 decrease from April.
Where job openings increased
- Retail trade (+104,000)
- Accommodation and food services (+73,000)
- Wholesale trade (+45,000)
- Health care and social assistance (+32,000)
- State and local education (+13,000)
Where job openings decreased
- Professional and business services (-325,000)
- Durable goods manufacturing (-138,000)
- Nondurable goods manufacturing (-70,000)
- Other services (-50,000)
- State and local government, excluding education (-33,000)
Net employment increased over the 12 months ending in May, reflecting a gain of 6.4 million. Hires totaled 78.4 million and separations (which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations) totaled 72.0 million.
