The number of job cuts announced by U.S.-based employers fell sharply in May, with a total of 30,157 planned workforce reductions recorded during the month, according to the latest report released Thursday from global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. The May total was 53 percent lower than the 64,141 job cuts announced in April. It represents the lowest monthly total since last December, when 23,622 job cuts were recorded. Last month saw 27 percent fewer cuts than the same month a year ago, when employers reported plans to shed 41,034 workers from their payrolls. To date, employers have ... (full story)