[Excerpt] The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts the Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) program to provide information on large- scale private nonfarm layoff events and on the characteristics of dislocated workers. Each month, BLS reports on the number of mass layoff events. Each quarter there is a separate report on the number and characteristics of extended mass layoffs, which are those private nonfarm mass layoffs that last more than 30 days. This report summarizes the data on extended layoffs for all of 2008, providing information on the industry, geographic distribution, and size of private nonfarm mass layoffs; the demographic characteristics of those claiming unemployment insurance; the duration of certified unemployment; the expectation of recall; the extent of permanent worksite closures; and the movement-of- work actions taken by employers.