Job openings fell to 5.046M in May

The number of total separations decreased by 4.8 million to 9.9 million in April, the 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Despite the over the month decline, the

total separations level is the second highest in series history. Within separations, 

the quits rate fell to 1.4 percent and the layoffs and discharges rate decreased to 5.9

percent. Job openings decreased to 5.0 million on the last business day of April. Over 

the month, hires declined to 3.5 million, a series low. The changes in these measures 
reflect the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it.