The number of people quitting their jobs was at a series high at the end of March, reaching 4.5 million according to recently released BLS data. This is a 152,000 increase from February’s 4.4 million. The quits rate changed very little, coming in at 3.0% after February’s 2.9%.
There were 11.5 million open jobs in March, an increase of 200,000 from the previous month.
Where job openings increased
- Retail trade (+155,000)
- Professional and business services (+103,000)
- Finance and insurance (+51,000)
- Durable goods manufacturing (+50,000)
- Nondurable goods manufacturing (+25,000)
Where job openings decreased
- Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-69,000)
- Accommodation and food services (-59,000)
- State and local education (-43,000)
- Wholesale trade (-43,000)
- Health care and social assistance (-25,000)
Net employment increased over the 12 months ending in March — there were 77.7 million hires and 71.4 million separations (which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other separations), reflecting a total net employment gain of 6.3 million.
