US job openings make little headway

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today job openings made little headway in June.

At the end of the month, openings were 5.2 million, roughly flat from May, according to a news release.

Hires during the month totaled 5.2 million, while separations were 4.9 million. Within separations, those who quit their job made up 1.9 percent for the third month in a row. Layoffs were 1.3 percent. Other separations include those due to retirement, death and disability, as well as moves to other jobs in the same firm, according to the BLS.

During June, employers laid off or discharged 1.8 million workers, according to the release.