Laid Off Nation » Data

Employment News: Jobless Claims

Jacob — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:14:48 +0000

Jobless claims (basically the official measure of how many people are unemployed in the United States’ economy) has hit the highest level in over 25 years. Luckily, the overall number of people employed/size of the economy has increased over the past two decades so it may not be as bad proportionately. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (source), the economy has increased in size by 115% since 1983. Also, the United States’ population has increased by 34% since 1980 according to Census statistics. Therefore, the actual unemployment rate would still be proportionately less than in the past.

This measure is based upon when people first apply for unemployment benefits and could be a slightly lagging indicator. It seems many companies have been planning for the worst and making sharp personnel cuts. Once the full gambit of large companies have made their adjustment/correctional layoffs, things should hit bottom and we can start growing again.

Let’s hope the second quarter of 2009 has us finding that bottom.

California Layoffs in February

Jacob — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:08:34 +0000

Here is a list of the remaining February layoffs for California:
2/18. Isola USA Corporation Layoffs (Technology): 48 Employees
2/19. The Boeing Company Layoffs (Aerospace): 3 Employees
2/20. Global Pharmaceutical Supply Group (GPSG) Layoffs (Pharmaceuticals): 25 Employees
2/20. Marriott Ownership Resorts Layoffs (Hotel): 110 Employees
2/20. United Industries Layoffs (General): 4 Employees
2/20. Western Digital Technologies Layoffs (Hardware): 5 Employees
2/21. Deutsch Layoffs (General): 78 Employees
2/21. Deutsch (Industrial Products Division) Layoffs (Transportation): 41 Employees
2/23. Elan Pharmaceuticals Layoffs (Pharmaceuticals): 53 Employees
2/23. Esselte Corporation Layoffs (Office Supplies): 13 Employees
2/24. Opvista Layoffs (Technology): 69 Employees
2/27. AT&T Layoffs (Telecommunications): 37 Employees
2/27. Hemosense Layoffs (Health Care): 2 Employees
2/27. JP Morgan Chase Bank Layoffs (Banking): 2 Employees
2/27. Philips Lighting Layoffs (Lighting): 70 Employees
2/28. First Transit Layoffs (General): 177 Employees
2/28. Circuit City Layoffs (Store): 92 Employees
2/28. JP Morgan Chase Bank Layoffs (Banking): 1 Employees
2/28. Western Union Layoffs (Money Transfer): 1 Employees
2/28. TTX Company Layoffs (Shipping): 209 Employees

Monday: Worst Day for Layoffs

Jacob — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:19:53 +0000

Based upon preliminary data from my Layoff Tracker, the worst day for layoffs last month was Monday. You could enjoy your weekend as no major layoffs were announced during Saturday and Sunday. However, things tended to get worse when everyone returned to work.

Out of 4 Mondays last month, one didn’t even have any layoff announcements. Other days of the week occurred 5 times and they were still beat by those 3 brutal Mondays.

Day	Lay Offs
Monday	81,400
Tuesday	18,400
Wednesday	44,500
Thursday	21,000
Friday	14,650
Saturday	0
Sunday	0
Days occuring 5 times: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. All others occured 4 times in January.
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