U.S. job openings hit a record low in April while turnovers decreased to 9.9 million, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The report, released June 9, showed openings declined to 5.05 million compared to a revised 6.01 million in March. This is the lowest count since 2014, Bloomberg News reported.
Job openings declined the most in April in professional and business services (309,000), healthcare and social assistance (115,000), and retail trade (113,000).
Total separations fell to 9.89 million in April, down 4.8 million from 14.64 million the month prior, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Total separations, referred to as turnover, include quits (generally worker-initiated voluntary separations) as well as layoffs.
The bureau reported 1.79 million quits in April, compared to 2.79 million in March. The report also showed hires declined to 3.52 million in April from 5.11 million in March.
The bureau said changes reflect "the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it."