Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS)

A Federal-State cooperative effort which uses a standardized approach to identify, describe, and track the effects of major job cutbacks. Information is collected for establishments which have at least 50 initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) filed against them during a consecutive 5-week period to determine the duration, total number of persons separated, the reasons for these separations, and recall expectations. This information is used to analyze economic trends and to aid in the development of programs that may benefit those workers who are displaced from their employment.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Mass Layoff Statistics Program