According to the JOLTS report, there were 4.96 million hires in February (SA), and 3.957 million total separations, or 4 thousand net jobs gained. The comparable CES report showed a loss of 14 thousand jobs in February (after revision).
Layoffs and discharges have declined sharply from early 2009 - and that is a good sign.However, hiring has not picked up - and even though total separations were at a series low, there were few jobs added in February (according to JOLTS). This low turnover rate is another indicator of a weak labor market.
Source: BLS
What happens if companies find out they can be just as productive with far less workers? We may find out.
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