Mass layoffs of 50 or more employees receded in June to 2,763 events, down 170 from May’s record high. In all, the June layoffs resulted in 279,231 new filings for unemployment insurance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced on July 23.

Thus, over the year so far, the number of mass layoff events has increased by 1,046 and initial claims from those events by 104,483. From the start of the recession in December 2007, there have been 39,822 such events, with initial claims totaling 4,090,538, the BLS added.

Mass layoffs are regulated under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), which provides for 60 days’ advance notice for those affected.

The current recession has also seen the number of terminated employees’ discrimination and retaliation filings and lawsuits increase dramatically. Employers, you don’t want to put yourself at jeopardy by not carrying out smart and legal layoffs, and Personnel Concepts has provided just the right tool for your legal compliance in its Workforce Reduction Compliance Kit. Get yours today.