We’ve entered the second quarter for 2013, here is a breakdown of the employment situation as it develops.
The labor participation rate edged lower again in shear number there at now 90 million people that are not in the labor market.
Check out the First Quarter for 2013.
Take a look at the past quarterly reports we’ve compiled for as far back as 2011.
For 2012 coverage check out First Quarter, Second Quarter, Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter reports.
For 2011 coverage check out our First, Second, Third and Fourth Quarter reports.
The pulse of the employment market is that nearly half of the workers in the country are concerned that they will be laid off.
Mass Layoff Reports
| 2013 | Mass Layoff Events | Total Workers Affected |
| April | - | - |
| May | - | - |
| June | - | - |
| Totals | - | - |
Source: BLS
Hiring
Ford - Is looking to hire about 2,000 workers at the F-150 plant in Kansas because of strong demand the company is also adding the Transit production at this plant.
Al Jazeera – Is looking to open a Detroit, MI bureau to expand its operations as the company recently purchased Al Gore’s Current TV news operations.
Notable Layoffs
Fisker Automotive – The makers of the elite priced electric automobile have cut 75% of its workforce and are very close to bankruptcy. About 160 workers have lost their jobs.
Disney Shuts LucasArts Studio, Cuts Staff at Lucasfilm, ILM – Following the purchase of from George Lucas, the Disney company laid off many workers. Disney and LucasFilm cut another 20 jobs.
Caribou Coffee – The small animal in the coffee world is getting smaller the company is looking to close 80 stores, 22 of which will be closed in Michigan. 88 other stores will be rebranded as Peet’s Coffee & Tea.
Sears Portrait Studios - All of the 2,700 stores unexpected closed.
Muskegon - The school district will issue all teachers layoff notices.
Boeing – The company that just narrowly avoided disaster of having its 787 flagship airplane grounded. Is going to lay off 1,700 engineers.
Caterpillar - Is cutting another 300 workers by July.
Magna - One the largest automotive suppliers is looking to layoff workers in its US and European locations.
Coda - One of the handful of Electric Vehicle (EV) makers based in California is going bankrupt. At least 50 workers are furloughed however it isn’t clear where they were located.
Resignations
JC Penny -
Firing
J.C. Penney Company, Inc – the Board of directors fired the CEO Ron Johnson after his terrible reign over the company for the last nearly two years. For those of you keeping score at home, he also helped axe over 19,000 workers while he was in charge. 
The company’s stock chart was also not very welcoming. Thousands of employees that were laid off could be heard cheering and laughing shortly after the announcement.
