More layoffs expected in September

According to one recent report, more firms made plans to reduce staff sizes during the month of September.

A recent release from Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed that numerous firms were planning to make cuts of 33,816 in September, a 4.9 percent increase from the month before, Reuters reports. Though the month-to-month figures were higher, the anticipated layoffs were 71 percent lower compared to the same time last year.

Those who helped conduct the study said that while the economic picture had improved from last year, the pace of hiring was still relatively weak. 

"Layoffs are definitely at pre-recession levels. Unfortunately, hiring has not returned to those levels. A combination of factors, including the upcoming election, ongoing instability in Europe, growing signs of weakness in Asia and a host of other issues, are keeping companies from making any major expansion or hiring moves," said John Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Coal is another industry that has seen an increase in the number of layoffs. The Associated Press reports that Wyoming-based Alpha Natural Resources is planning to get rid of 1,200 employees at the beginning of 2013.

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