Michigan’s employment surveys continued to tell somewhat differing stories in August.  The household survey of employment showed a monthly employment decline of 21,000 and a year-over-year decline of 29,000.  The unemployment rate ticked up three-tenths of a percentage point to 11.2 percent. 
The payroll survey results were more favorable, especially on a year-over-year basis.  The payroll survey had total August employment down by 6,000 from July, but up a healthy 80,000 from last year (+2.0 percent).  Compared to a year ago, the sectors showing the strongest growth were manufacturing (+28,000 jobs), professional and business services (+20,000), and education and health services (+17,000).  Sectors showing jobs loss compared to a year ago were information (-3,000), leisure and hospitality (-4,000), and government (-1,000).