November 07, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Quits rates in September 2006 and September 2007

The overall quits rate was 2.1 percent in September 2006 and 1.9 percent in September 2007, not seasonally adjusted.

Quits rates, selected industries, not seasonally adjusted, September 2006 and September 2007
[Chart data—TXT]

The quits rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total employment. This rate can serve as a barometer of workers’ ability to change jobs.

Between September 2006 and September 2007, the quits rate did not rise significantly in any industry. The rate did fall in many industries, including wholesale trade; information; real estate and rental and leasing; health care and social assistance; accommodation and food services; and federal government.

These data are from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Data for the most recent month are preliminary. To learn more, see "Job Openings and Labor Turnover: September 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 07-1727. Total separations include quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations), and other separations (including retirements).