Forex

10:51 03/12 (CEP News) Washington – Job openings in the United States fell slightly in January from their December numbers, though the rate remained unchanged from the prior month.

As of the last business day in January, there were 3.9 million job openings, according data released on Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the end of December, there were 4.0 million job openings, but the rate held steady from month to month at 2.8%.

Though the monthly changes were small, the year-over-year changes, according to the report, are "significant". From January 2007 to January 2008, the job openings, hires, quits, and total separations rates all fell significantly for both the total non-farm and total private sectors, the report reads.

Seasonally adjusted, the total job opening rate fell to 2.8% from 3.0% from the same period a year ago. Total private job openings fell to 2.9% from 3.2% a year ago in January, while government employment held steady at 2.0% over the year.

Of the sectors listed, construction fared the worst: job openings in construction fell to 1.7% from 2.4% a year ago. But, accommodation and food services held up, falling to 4.0% in January from 4.1% a year ago.

The hires rate was little changed at 3.3% in January. Hires are any additions to the payroll during the month, the report noted. Over the month, the hires rate did not change significantly in any industry or region. The seasonally adjusted hires rate was highest in January in accommodation and food services, at 5.8%.

Total separations, or the turnover rate, remained essentially unchanged at 3.1% in January. Separations are terminations of employment that occur at any time during the month. Over the month, the separations rate decreased in accommodation and food services to 5.0%. Over the year, the total separations rate rose in wholesale trade to 2.7%, though the rate fell over the year for total non-farm employment to 3.1% and to 4.8% in construction.