layoffs

Unemployment Falls to 7.7% as Employers Get Back to Hiring

U.S. employers ramped up hiring in February, adding 236,000 jobs and pushing the unemployment rate down to 7.7 percent from 7.9 percent in January. Stronger hiring shows businesses are confident about the economy, despite higher taxes and government spending cuts.

Jobless Claims Fall Unexpectedly as Labor Market Improves

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, suggesting a pick-up in the labor market recovery. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 340,000.

9 Ways the Sequester Will Affect You

The sequester will be tough on government employees, and on those whose jobs are directly supported by them. But even if you don't run a Jiffy Lube across the street from a military base, you still need to be prepared. Here's are eight unexpected ways the sequester will likely touch your life.

Goldman Sachs Plans Another Round of Job Cuts

Goldman Sachs will begin a fresh round of job cuts as early as this week, sources said Monday. The bank usually culls the weakest 5 percent of its employees around this time of year, but the cuts will likely be deeper in some businesses, particularly equities-trading.

Barclays to Cut 3,700 Jobs As Part of 'Project Transform'

Barclays new chief executive pledged a fresh course for the British lender on Tuesday, axing at least 3,700 jobs and pruning its investment bank as he seeks to rebuild its reputation and boost profitability after a series of scandals.

Blockbuster to Shutter About 300 More Stores, Lay Off 3,000

The video-rental chain Blockbuster plans to close about 300 stores across the country, losing about 3,000 employees. The closures will leave about 500 Blockbuster locations in the U.S. In 2011, Dish Network bought then-bankrupt Blockbuster for $320 million.

The 10 Most Hated Companies in America

Botched product launches, plunging stock values, massive layoffs, unhappy workers and poor customer service: These are just some of the woes that can win a business a spot on the 24/7 Wall St. list of the 10 most hated companies in America.

Initial Jobless Claims Inch Up in the New Year

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 4,000 last week, but seasonal volatility makes it difficult to get a clear picture of the labor market's health. The prior week's figure was revised to show 5,000 fewer applications than previously reported.

Initial Jobless Claims Rise, But Distorted By Holidays

More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though the winter holidays likely distorted the data for the second straight week. The Labor Department says weekly applications rose by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 in the week ended Dec. 29.

U.S. Jobless Aid Applications Fall to 5-Year Low

The average number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008, a sign that the job market is healing. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000 in the week ended Dec. 22. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, fell to a nearly five-year low of 356,750.

Avon to Cut 1,500 Jobs; CEO Says Layoff Will Stabilize Company

Struggling beauty products seller Avon said late Tuesday it will cut about 1,500 jobs and exit the South Korea and Vietnam markets. The job cuts amount to almost 4 percent of its workforce and are one of the first major moves by CEO Sheri McCoy, who in April replaced longtime CEO Andrea Jung.