Layoffs and Discharges - Nonfarm
Returns total nonfarm layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations) in thousands from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Data Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) JOLTS / FRED |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Unit | Thousands of separations |
| Coverage | Total nonfarm |
Notes
- Includes layoffs (temporary or permanent) and discharges (firings)
- Does not include voluntary quits
- Rising layoffs often signal economic weakness
Syntax
=LayoffsDischarges()Returns
number
Total nonfarm layoffs and discharges in thousands
Examples
Total layoffs in thousands
=LayoffsDischarges()*1000=LayoffsDischarges()/EmployeesNonfarm()*100=Hires()-LayoffsDischarges()When to Use
- Tracking job losses and economic stress
- Analyzing labor market conditions
- Recession warning indicators
- Corporate restructuring analysis
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need hiring data | Hires() |
| Need job openings | JobOpenings() |
| Need unemployment claims | InitialCliams() |
| Need total employment | EmployeesNonfarm() |
Common Issues & FAQ
What unit is the result in?
Thousands of layoffs and discharges.
Does this include people who quit?
No, this only includes involuntary separations (layoffs and firings).
How is this different from initial claims?
Layoffs are actual job losses; initial claims are first-time unemployment benefit filings (not everyone files).
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