American Medical News (01/05/12) Elliott, Victoria Stagg

Fewer mass layoffs occurred at hospitals in the final months of 2011, and a Manpower survey suggests hiring may increase in the health care industry this year. Mass layoffs are defined as at least 50 people losing their jobs from a single firm. There were seven such incidents at hospitals in November 2011 that affected at least 464 employees, according to the latest report on mass layoffs issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonclinical staff, rather than physicians, tend to be most affected when an institution lays off workers.

Meanwhile, the quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the U.S. found that the number of companies planning to hire in the first quarter of 2012 went up. “Slow but steady momentum has improved employer confidence, which is likely why more employers are planning to hire in the first quarter,” says Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup president of the Americas. Jobs in health and education are expected to increase by 3% in the first quarter of 2012, according to the survey.