A record-high 4.4 million Americans, about 3% of workers, quit their job in September 2021, according to the job openings and labor turnover summary released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department.
The growing number of vacancies is now forcing companies to look elsewhere as they are coming out with attractive offers to quickly fill up the record job openings.
US’ Labor Department on Friday said that 4.4 million people quit their jobs in September, which is up from 4.3 million in August, and far above the pre-pandemic level of 3.6 million.
There were 10.4 million job openings, down from 10.6 million in August, which was revised higher, the data shows.
Moreover, the data states that there are about 5 million fewer people looking for jobs compared with pre-pandemic trends, making it much harder for employers to hire.
The number of quits increased in September to a series high of 4.4 million (+164,000). The quits rate also increased to a series-high 3.0 percent. Quits increased in several industries with the largest increases in arts, entertainment, and recreation (+56,000); other services (+47,000); and state and local government education (+30,000). Quits decreased in wholesale trade (-30,000). The number of quits increased in the West region.
According to the data from the Labor Department:
Job Openings
On the last business day of September, the number and rate of job openings were little changed at 10.4 million and 6.6 percent, respectively. Job openings increased in health care and social assistance (+141,000); state and local government, excluding education (+114,000); wholesale trade (+51,000); and information (+51,000). Job openings decreased in state and local government education (-114,000);
other services (-104,000); real estate and rental and leasing (-65,000); and educational services (-45,000). The number of job openings was little changed in all four regions.
Hires
In September, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 6.5 million and 4.4 percent, respectively. Hires increased in health care and social assistance (+109,000) and finance and insurance (+60,000). Hires decreased in state and local government education (-92,000) and educational services (-89,000). The number of hires was little changed in all four regions.
Separations
Total separations includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm.
In September, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 6.2 million and 4.2 percent, respectively. Total separations decreased in retail trade (-100,000). The total separations level increased in several industries with the largest increases in other services (+87,000); health care and social assistance (+86,000); and finance and insurance (+61,000). Total separations were little changed in all four regions.
The number of quits increased in September to a series high of 4.4 million (+164,000). The quits rate also increased to a series high 3.0 percent. Quits increased in several industries with the largest increases in arts, entertainment, and recreation (+56,000); other services (+47,000); and state and local government education (+30,000). Quits decreased in wholesale trade (-30,000). The number of quits increased in the West region.
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