Planned Job Cuts Fall in December

Chicago, IL, Jan. 8, 2014 -- Planned jobs cuts in December by U.S.-based employers fell to a total of 32,640 workers, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas Inc.

It was the second consecutive month that payroll cuts declined.

December had the third lowest monthly total of 2014.

December job cuts were down 9.2% from 35,940 in November but higher than the year-ago total of 30,623.

Layoffs are at pre-2001-recession levels.