• Connecticut Employment Situation — October 2015

October’s preliminary nonfarm job estimate developed from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) business survey shows Connecticut jobs declined by 2,200 (-0.13%) last month to a level of 1,694,100, seasonally adjusted. This is the second monthly job loss in a row and the fourth monthly state nonfarm jobs decline out of the first ten months of this year. The state has still increased nonfarm employment by 24,100 jobs (1.44%, 2,410 jobs per month) since October 2014.

The September 2015 estimated nonfarm employment loss of 7,600 (-0.45%) positions for the state was revised higher to a 4,800 (-0.28%) job decline - a substantial 2,800 upward employment revision for the prior month.

Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• CTDOL Recovers $6.1 Million in Wages Owed To Workers — FY Ended 30 June

“…the money includes nearly $1.5 million recovered after more than 2,300 complaints from workers that they hadn't been paid.

”Another $788,000 was recovered for workers who didn't get the required minimum wage or overtime….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: HartfordCourant

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• CT Labor Situation — July 2015

Preliminary Connecticut July nonfarm employment numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey show the state increased jobs by 4,100 (0.24%) last month to a level of 1,696,000, seasonally adjusted. This is the third monthly nonfarm job gain in a row, signifying a fairly strong summer so far. The state is now estimated to have added 30,600 nonfarm positions (1.84%, 2,550 jobs per month) over the year.

The unemployment rate for July 2015 was 5.4% in Connecticut, seasonally adjusted, now much closer to the U.S. unemployment rate (5.3%). This is down three-tenths of a percentage point from the revised June 2015 unemployment rate of 5.7% and down a full percentage point from the July 2014 unemployment rate of 6.4%.

“The pace of decline in the state’s unemployed has accelerated in the last three months,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “This has brought Connecticut’s unemployment rate to a level nearly identical with the U.S. average….”

Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOLResearch

NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

© 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC

URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut Labor Situation — June 2015

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Preliminary nonfarm employment numbers for Connecticut from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’s establishment survey show the state added 600 jobs (0.04%) in June 2015, seasonally adjusted. The state has now increased total nonfarm job levels by 27,000 (1.62%, 2,250 jobs per month) over the year to 1,691,900. Connecticut’s private sector added 2,600 positions last month and has now increased job levels by 27,900 since June 2014 (1.96%, 2,325 jobs per month). May’s initially posted estimate of a nonfarm job increase of 6,400 (0.38%) was revised 500 positions lower to a 5,900 nonfarm jobs gain (0.35%). Connecticut’s unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, was estimated at 5.7% in June 2015, down three-tenths of a percentage point from the revised May 2015 figure, according to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) model from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s unemployment rate is lower by eight-tenths of a percentage point from June 2014 (6.5%). The number of Connecticut’s unemployed residents has declined by 13,414 (-11.0%) to 108,979 since June 2014. “Above trend private-sector job growth looks to be continuing, while the jobless rate has recently declined significantly,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOLResearch NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut Labor Situation — April 2015

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Preliminary nonfarm employment estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS establishment survey) show Connecticut added 1,200 jobs (0.07%) to state payrolls in April 2015 - seasonally adjusted. Connecticut has now increased job levels by 23,200 since April 2014 (1.39%, 1,933 jobs per month) to 1,687,200. March’s initially estimated job increase of 4,000 (0.24%) was revised slightly lower by 700 positions to a 3,300 job gain (0.20%). This is the third monthly employment increase in 2015 and the tenth monthly job gain in the last twelve months. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Connecticut was measured at 6.3% for April 2015, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the March 2015 estimate. The jobless rate in the state is now down by five-tenths of a percentage point from April 2014 (6.8%). The number of unemployed residents in the state has declined by 7,019 (-5.5%) to 120,089 over the year. The state’s labor force expanded briskly again in April by 4,988 participants for the nineteenth consecutive month to reach an all-time record high labor pool of 1,920,837. “This was a relatively quiet month in the job market with mixed results across the state’s major industry sectors,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “Continuing job growth combined with improving wages appears to be attracting more job seekers into the labor market.” Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut Labor Situation — March 2015

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Preliminary estimates of Connecticut nonfarm payrolls indicate Connecticut gained 4,000 nonfarm jobs (0.24%) in March 2015, seasonally adjusted. Connecticut has now added 27,100 jobs over the year (1.63%, 2,258 jobs per month). February’s original estimate of a 3,700 (-0.22%) decline was revised up 800 to a 2,900 job loss (-0.17%). Seasonally adjusted year-to-date employment growth in the first quarter of 2015 was estimated at 8,600, compared to 6,600 jobs over the same period in 2014. Connecticut’s unemployment rate was calculated at 6.4% in March 2015, seasonally adjusted, unchanged from the February figure. Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut Employment Situation — February 2015

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Based on the U.S. BLS's preliminary monthly survey of businesses and governments, Connecticut lost 3,700 nonfarm jobs in February 2015 – seasonally adjusted. Since February 2014, however, Connecticut’s nonfarm employment has increased by 25,800 positions or 1.56% (2,150 jobs per month average) to 1,681,900 jobs. February 2015 was officially the coldest month ever recorded for average temperatures in the state and this noticeably influenced the monthly employment decline. Unemployment: The unemployment rate in Connecticut was slightly higher in February 2015 at 6.4%, seasonally adjusted, up a tenth of a percentage point from January, according to the latest federal residential/household survey. This is down by six-tenths of a percentage point from the February 2014 unemployment rate of 7.0%. Over the year, the number of unemployed in the state has fallen by 9,583 (-7.3%) to 121,983, but did increase marginally last month (1,744). The state’s labor force continued to grow last month (5,368) despite the cold for the seventeenth month in a row and has increased by 32,203 workers on an annual basis (1.7%). “Connecticut’s record cold February temperatures and frequent snow appears to have affected industry employment, hours worked, and some unemployment claims activity last month,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “Nevertheless, the state’s labor force weathered the cold and continues to expand, bringing out more jobseekers.” Employment: Preliminary nonfarm employment estimates for February show Connecticut lost 3,700 (-0.22%, seasonally adjusted) jobs. Six of the ten major industry supersectors were lower in employment in February, while three posted job gains, and the other services supersector was unchanged. Connecticut over-the-year job gains now total 25,800 (1.56%, 2,150 per month) with eight industry supersectors displaying positive job growth, and just two having declined. The current February nonfarm employment level of 1,681,900 virtually matches the latest three month moving average. Recession Recovery: Connecticut has now recovered 87,900 positions, or 73.9% of the now 119,000 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs that were lost in the state during the March 2008 - February 2010 employment recession (post-benchmark). Connecticut’s jobs recovery is now 60 months old and is averaging 1,465 jobs per month since February 2010. The private sector has recovered employment at faster pace and has now recovered 94,700 (84.9%) of the 111,600 private sector jobs that were lost during the same recessionary downturn (a pace of about 1,578 per month). At 1,681,900 overall nonfarm jobs for February 2015, the state needs to reach the 1,713,000 level to start a true nonfarm employment expansion. This will require an additional 31,100 nonfarm jobs. Labor Market Areas: The New Haven LMA (700, 0.2%) and the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk LMA (300, 0.1%) posted small monthly job gains, while the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (-800, 0.1%) and the Norwich-New London- Westerly LMA (-500, -0.4%) were down in employment in February. Over the year, five of the six major Connecticut BLS-recognized LMAs are now positive, as are the three smaller state-estimated LMAs, with just the Norwich-New London-Westerly LMA (-400, -0.3%, seasonally adjusted) lower now since February 2014. Hours and Earnings: The private sector workweek, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.3 hours in February 2015, and is higher by 30 minutes (1.5%) from the year-ago estimate of 32.8 hours. Average hourly earnings at $28.99, not seasonally adjusted, were up 59 cents, or 2.1%, from the February 2014 estimate. The resultant average private sector weekly pay was calculated at $965.37, up $33.85, or 3.6% over the year Please visit this link to read the full report: CTDOL NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2015 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut’s Labor Situation — November 2014

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On a seasonally adjusted basis, the preliminary nonfarm job estimate shows Connecticut added 4,600 jobs (0.27%) in November 2014. The state nonfarm industry has now increased 25,700 positions (1.55%) since November 2013 to a level of 1,687,100 jobs. “Connecticut’s recent string of healthier employment gains looks to be attracting many more jobseekers into the state’s labor market in the lead-up to the holiday season and holiday hiring appears to be above average,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “We are also starting to observe some much improved estimates of private sector wage growth that may be encouraging labor force participation as well.” Please visit this link to read the full report: LinkToArticle NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions. © 2014 Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC URL: http://connecticuthumanresources.blogspot.com/

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• Connecticut Labor Situation – September 2014

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Connecticut’s nonfarm employment rebounded strongly in September, adding 11,500 positions (0.69%), according to preliminary jobs data calculated from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’s (BLS) monthly employer survey (seasonally adjusted). In addition, the August 2014 initial reported loss of 3,600 jobs (-0.22%) was also revised by 2,400 jobs to a smaller decline of 1,200 (-0.07%). The state’s nonfarm employment level at 1,679,200, for September 2014, has reached another new recovery highpoint and has now added 26,100 jobs (1.58%) over the year. Please visit this link to read the full report: LinkToArticle NOTE: This report is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in providing legal, financial, accounting or other professional advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Furthermore, while we do our best to ensure that these data are accurate, we suggest that any entity making decisions based on these numbers should verify the data at their source prior to making such decisions.

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• Connecticut’s Annual Revision of Unemployment Insurance Rate Puts Maximum Benefit at $594

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The annual revision of the Unemployment Insurance benefit rate will result in claimants receiving a maximum amount of $594 per week, effective October 5, 2014. The revised rate is four dollars more than the current $590 weekly maximum rate, and will apply to claims filed for the benefit years starting on and after October 5, 2014. Those who filed a claim prior to this date and have been collecting unemployment benefits will be unaffected by this revision. The weekly dependency allowance for each dependent of $15 with a maximum of $75 remains unchanged. See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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• Connecticut’s Employment Situation – August 2014

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August 2014 initial nonfarm employment estimates decreased 3,600 (-0.2%) positions to 1,665,300 jobs (seasonally adjusted). This is the first total nonfarm employment decline in seven months after six straight monthly nonfarm job gains coming out of the January 2014 deep freeze. See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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• Connecticut Labor Situation – July 2014

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Connecticut added 2,400 total nonfarm jobs (0.1%) in July. This is the sixth consecutive monthly increase and the state has now added 9,200 jobs (0.6%) over the year. At the same time the U.S. has increased its number of jobs by 1.4%. This boosts the current nonfarm employment recovery for Connecticut to 1,670,300 jobs (64.1% of job loss recovered). In the same period the U.S. has recovered 99.8% of its prerecession jobs. The unemployment rate in Connecticut was 6.6% in July 2014. This is down one-tenth of a percentage point from the June 2014 figure of 6.7% and lower by one and three-tenths of a percentage point from the July 2013 rate of 7.9%. The U.S. unemployment rate for July 2014 was 6.2%. See the complete report at this link: CTDOL CTDOL tries to paint a rosy picture of employment in our state, but in comparison to progress nationwide, we're not exactly in the pink.

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• Connecticut Employment Situation – June 2014

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June preliminary nonfarm employment estimates from the national establishment survey indicate steady ongoing job growth for Connecticut. The state added 1,700 total nonfarm positions (0.1%) in June for the fifth straight monthly increase and has now added 5,300 jobs (0.3%) over the year. May’s initial nonfarm job gain of 5,800 was revised higher to 6,000 (0.4%). The June level of seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment, at 1,667,400, is now at another new employment recovery high. See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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• Connecticut Employment Situation - May 2014

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Preliminary May job figures from the federal business payroll survey disclose an increasing pace of job growth for the state. Connecticut added 5,800 total nonfarm jobs (0.3%) in May, with seven of ten major industry supersectors growing. This is the fourth straight monthly employment increase since January and the state has now added 12,500 jobs (0.8%) over the year. The May seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment level of 1,665,500 is now at a new employment recovery highpoint for the state, surpassing the old recovery high of 1,663,500 reached in December 2013, just before the January deep freeze set in. Results from the residential survey show Connecticut’s unemployment was 6.9% for May, unchanged from the April 2014 figure, but down nine-tenths of a percentage point from the May 2013 unemployment rate (7.8%). Seven of ten major industry supersectors added positions in the month of May while two supersectors declined and one was unchanged. The seven major industry supersector level nonfarm job gains were led higher by professional and business services (2,300, 1.1%). The trade, transportation & utilities (2,000, 0.7%) supersector also provided strong job growth as transportation (1,100, 2.1%) and wholesale trade (1,000, 1.6%) boosted the grouping. The manufacturing supersector (1,000, 0.6%) was another large job gainer, with the capital intensive durable goods component (1,100, 0.9%) providing all of the increase. The leisure and hospitality (700, 0.5%) supersector and the government supersector (700, 0.3%) each added 700 positions, while the education and health services (400, 0.1%) and other services (400, 0.7%) supersectors added 400 jobs each. Restaurants and hotels were a strong contributor to the leisure supersector. The two job-losing industry supersectors were led by financial activities (-900, -0.7%). Insurance appeared to be the weakest component in the group and real estate was lower as well. The combined construction and mining (-800, -1.4%) supersector was also lower in May, but had performed bettter than expected in the recent very cold winter months. The information supersector was unchanged this May. 2 Recession recovery: Connecticut has now recovered 71,600 positions, or 60.1% of the 11 Recession recovery: Connecticut has now recovered 71,600 positions, or 60.1% of the 119,100 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs that were lost in the state during the March 2008 - February 2010 employment recession. Labor Market Areas (LMAs): May 2014 preliminary nonfarm estimates indicate three of the six major Connecticut Labor Market Areas (Bureau of Labor Statistics-recognized LMAs) gained jobs, while three LMAs exhibited small employment declines. The regional employment growth in May appeared to be located around the center of the state. The Hartford LMA (5,700, 1.0%) led all Connecticut LMA growth by a wide margin. The New Haven LMA (500, 0.2%) and Waterbury LMA (400, 0.6%) added positions as well. The three declining LMAs posted small job losses and were led by the Danbury LMA (-300, -0.4%). The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk LMA (-100, -0.02%) and the Norwich-New London LMA (-100, -0.1%) remained essentially flat. Note: The major Connecticut LMAs are estimated and seasonally adjusted independently from the statewide numbers by the BLS and cover about 90% of the nonfarm employment in the state, so they will not fully sum to the statewide total. Hours and Earnings: The private sector workweek, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.6 hours in May 2014, unchanged from the May 2013 estimate of 33.6 hours. Average hourly earnings at $27.83, not seasonally adjusted, were down just six cents, or -0.2% from the May 2013 hourly private sector pay figure of $27.89. The resulting average private sector weekly pay was calculated at $935.09, down $2.01, or -0.2% over the year. Labor Force Data (residential household survey) Connecticut’s unemployment rate was estimated at 6.9% for May 2014 (seasonally adjusted). This is unchanged from April 2014, but down nine-tenths of a percentage point from the May 2013 unemployment rate of 7.8%. May’s statewide civilian labor force grew higher for the fifth month (9,073, 0.5%) and is now clearly positive over the year (13,219, 0.7%). The unemployment rate in Connecticut has not been this low since it was 7.0% in January of 2009, in the midst of the financial crisis. The May 2014 average weekly initial unemployment claims for first-time Connecticut filers (seasonally adjusted) decreased See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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• Connecticut's Employment Situation - April 2014

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Preliminary nonfarm employment estimates from the business establishment payroll survey show a pattern of continuing job growth for Connecticut. The state added 2,200 total nonfarm jobs (0.1%) in April for the third consecutive monthly increase and has now added 6,900 jobs (0.4%) over the year. Private sector job gains composed 1,800 (0.1%) of last month’s increase and are stronger over the year (10,800, 0.8%) compared to overall nonfarm employment. Connecticut’s unemployment rate was estimated at 6.9% in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point from March 2014, and down nine-tenths of a percentage point from the 7.8% rate a year ago. The underlying statistical components of the unemployment rate are quite positive trends with the first yearly gain in civilian labor force since March 2011, and the strongest annual residential employment gain (19,595, 1.1%) since April 2007. The number of unemployed residents declined 2,023 (-1.6%) in April and has declined by 17,302 (-11.9%) since April 2013. “Both the establishment and household employment surveys are pointing to an improving labor market going forward for the state after extreme winter volatility,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “The expanding labor force, growing private sector work hours, and diminishing unemployment are encouraging signs for Connecticut’s economy. Even though the pace of Connecticut’s employment recovery is moderate, it seems to be on solid footing.” Nonfarm Jobs (business establishment survey) Nonfarm job estimates for the state increased again in April adding 2,200 (0.1%) to payrolls. This is the third straight monthly job gain. Over-the-year, nonfarm employment has increased 6,900 positions (0.4%). Job gains were 1,400 for February, 4,000 in March, and 2,200 in April (7,600 net positions in the last three months) and this helped make up for some of the job loss from the extreme January weather-related decline (-10,900). The three-month moving average of nonfarm employment (page 7), used to smooth month-to-month volatility, is depicting this spring rebound. At the major industry supersector level, nonfarm job gains and losses were modest in April as no supersector changed by more than a thousand positions. Six major industry supersectors added positions and four declined. The trade, transportation, and utilities (800, 0.3%) supersector led the job gainers. Transportation components were the most robust in this grouping, while a later-than-usual Easter had little impact on retail or wholesale trade. Also growing were the leisure and hospitality (700, 0.5%) and education and health services (700, 0.2%) supersectors. Restaurants and hotels continue to be a strong contributor for leisure sectors, while colleges and universities resumed pace after the March spring break. Financial activities (500, 0.4%) were also positive in April with both real estate and finance and insurance drifting higher. The combined construction and mining (400, 0.7%) supersector, which had been fairly resilient this winter, continued to add jobs. The government supersector (400, 0.2%) also saw a small increase in April but has lost the most jobs of any supersector over the year (-3,900, 1.6%). Government has lost the most jobs since the overall employment recovery began (-11,100) in February 2010. The four job-losing industry supersectors were led down by professional and business services (-600, -0.3%). The other services (-400, -0.6%) supersector was also lower in April. The manufacturing supersector (-200, -0.1%) components were also slightly lower. Durable goods was off (-400, -0.3%). The information (-100, -0.3%) supersector was just slightly down. Recession recovery: Connecticut has recovered 66,300 positions, or 55.7% of the 119,100 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs that were lost in the state during the March 2008 - February 2010 employment downturn. Connecticut’s jobs recovery is now 50 months old and is averaging approximately 1,326 jobs per month overall since February 2010. The core private sector has recovered at a faster pace and has now gotten back 77,400 (69.1%, 1,548 per month) of the 112,000 private jobs that were lost during the same recessionary period. Now at 1,660,200 nonfarm jobs for April, the state needs to reach the 1,713,000 level to start a true nonfarm employment expansion. This will require an additional 52,800 jobs going forward. Labor Market Areas (LMAs): April 2014 preliminary nonfarm estimates reveal three of the six major Connecticut Labor Market Areas (Bureau of Labor Statistics-recognized LMAs) posted nonfarm job gains, while three showed declines. The employment growth last month was located along the shoreline. The Bridgeport-Stamford- Norwalk LMA (1,500, 0.4%) exhibited the best April job increase and also leads the state in regional employment growth over the year (7,200, 1.8%). The New Haven LMA (600, 0.2%) also had solid job gains in April, as did the Norwich-New London LMA (500, 0.4%). The Danbury LMA (-500, -0.7%), Hartford LMA (-400, -0.1%), and Waterbury LMA (-200, -0.3%) were all lower last month. The Danbury LMA (-100, -0.1%) joined the Norwich- New London LMA (-1,500, -1.2%) last month as the only two major LMA’s in the state to lose jobs over the year. Hours and Earnings: The private sector workweek, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.7 hours in April 2014, up one-tenth of an hour from the year ago April 2013 estimate of 33.6 hours. Average hourly earnings at $27.84, not seasonally adjusted, were down 24 cents, or -0.9% from the April 2013 hourly private sector pay figure of $28.08. The resulting average private sector weekly pay was calculated at $938.21, down $5.28, or -0.6% over the year. The year-to-year change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted) in April 2014 was 2.0%. Labor Force Data (residential household survey) Connecticut’s unemployment rate was estimated at 6.9% for April 2014. This is down one-tenth of a percentage point from March 2013, and down nine-tenths of a percentage point from the April 2013 unemployment rate of 7.8%. April’s statewide civilian labor force (3,763, 0.2%) was higher again for the fourth month in a row, and is now slightly positive over the year (2,293, 0.1%). The unemployment rate in Connecticut has not been this low since it was 7.0% in January of 2009, in the midst of the financial crisis. Unemployment: Based on the household survey, the number of unemployed, seasonally adjusted, declined by 2,023 (-1.6%) over the month to 128,481 in April 2014. The state’s number of unemployed residents has declined by 17,302 (-11.9%) since April 2013. The United States unemployment rate was 6.3% in April, down four-tenths of a percentage point from the March 2014 rate (6.3%), and lower by one and two-tenths of a percentage point from the April 2013 rate, when it was calculated at 7.5%. The April 2014 average weekly initial unemployment claims for first-time Connecticut filers (seasonally adjusted) increased over the month by 323 claims (7.9%) to 4,412, but were lower by 411 claims (-8.5%) from last April (4,823). See the complete report at this link: CTDOL

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