Planned Layoffs Decline in March

Chicago, IL, April 4, 2013 — Planned layoffs fell in March, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Layoffs announced in March declined to about 49,000, down 11% from February. However, plans for job cuts were up 30% from the same period a year ago, led by retailers.

In the first quarter announced layoffs reached about 145,000, up 1.4% from the same period in the prior year.