The number of new hires and the total number of workers quitting recently reached to nine-year highs, reflecting a more dynamic labor market.
Job openings jumped from 5.3 million to 5.6 million, the highest level since last July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently in its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
The rise in hires shows that employer demand has strengthened in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and utilities. It slowed in construction, education, health services and manufacturing, according to USA Today.
The larger number of Americans switching jobs indicates a more vibrant labor market in which workers are confident enough to leave one job for another.
Earlier this year, there were just 1.4 unemployed workers for each job opening.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.