U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (05/09/14)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 4.0 million job openings at the end of March, along with a 3.4% hires rate and a 3.2% separations rate, all little changed from February. There were 4.6 million hires in March, compared with 4.7 million in February, and 4.4 million separations, essentially unchanged from the prior month.

The quits rate was unchanged in March at 1.8% for total nonfarm, 2.0% for total private, and 0.6% for government, as was the layoffs and discharges rate at 1.1% for total nonfarm, 1.3% for total private, and 0.4% for government. There were 54.7 million hires and 52.5 million separations in the 12 months ending in March, with a net employment gain of 2.2 million.