June labor figures don't disclose any secrets

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released June employment figures today, and the news is mixed.  Overall, employers cut 125,000 jobs in June, and that decrease was expected due to the end of temporary employment for 225,000 Census workers.  However, the overall unemployment rate declined to 9.5% from 9.7%.

Department stores and general merchandise stores added jobs, while specialty retailers had a very small decrease.  Good news; the Leisure and Hospitality sector gained 28,000 jobs.  On the flip side, the hospitality sector still has an unemployment rate of 12.3%, which is actually slightly higher than June 2009's rate of 12.1%.

No surprises here; the recovery is a long and slow process.  What is your employment situation for the summer?  Are you hiring technical or support staff, or not?  Or, have you shifted workers between full-time and part-time status?  Let us know what you are seeing.