Planned Layoffs at 10-Month Low in March

Chicago, IL, MO, April 5, 2012 -- Planned layoffs declined in March to the lowest number in 10 months, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Planned job cuts fell 27% on a monthly basis to 37,880 and were down 9% from a year ago.

"This may simply be the eye of the storm for government workers; a lull in activity in an election year and a time when many state budgets are still being negotiated," said CEO John Challenger in a press release.

The consumer products and transportation categories saw fewer job cuts in March after experiencing heavy cuts in February.