An analysis of the new job openings and labor turnover data by size of firm

Abstract

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) collects data for job openings, hires, and separations from sampled establishments. These data are published by industry each month. In September 2018, these data were published in a new format: size of firm. This article first provides background information needed for understanding what firm-based data mean and then explores the new data series. Next, this article compares the new firm size data with the previously published establishment-based data. Last, the JOLTS firm size data are compared with the firm size data produced by the Business Employment Dynamics program, also at BLS.