Hawaii reports 4 ‘mass layoffs’ in July

There were four “mass layoffs” in Hawaii in July, which resulted in the loss of 271 jobs for at least 31 days, according to the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday.

In June, there were six mass layoff events that resulted in the loss of 783 jobs. July 2007’s numbers were not available, according to the department.

A mass layoff is when there are 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits from one employer during a five-week period, with at least 50 workers separated for more than 30 days.

Nationwide there were 1,512 mass layoffs in July that resulted in the separation of 151,171 workers from their jobs for at least 31 days, seasonally adjusted.

Seasonal adjustment is the process of estimating and removing the effect of regularly recurring seasonal events such as changes in the weather, holidays and the beginning and ending of the school year.

The manufacturing industry accounted for 40 percent of all mass layoff events in June.