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
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
Q: What unit is the result in? A: Thousands of layoffs and discharges.
Q: Does this include people who quit? A: No, this only includes involuntary separations (layoffs and firings).
Q: How is this different from initial claims? A: Layoffs are actual job losses; initial claims are first-time unemployment benefit filings (not everyone files).
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