The number of planned job cuts announced by employers dropped sharply in April to 38,326, 43 percent fewer than the 67,611 in March, reports the Chicago outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Week of May 24, 2010: Company and People Notes: Bayer to Open San Francisco Innovation Hub; Lonza Bioscience Names COO; And More.

The number of job cuts planned by American employers fell sharply in April, to 38,326 - 43 percent fewer than 67,611 planned the previous month.

Turnover among the nation’s chief executive officers declined for the second consecutive month in April, as 101 CEOs announced their departures during the month, 15 percent fewer than the 119 departures in March, according to the latest report on CEO turnover by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.Despite the decline, the April total was 29.5 percent higher than the …

John Challenger, CEO of job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. The number of planned job cuts announced by American employers fell sharply in April to 38,326 - 43 percent fewer than in March, according to a report by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

People wait in line to enter the City University of New York Big Apple job fair in New York, April 23, 2010.

Companies planned 41 percent fewer job cuts in February, the lowest level since June 2006, according to a report by Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc.

Companies planned 41 percent fewer job cuts in February, the lowest level since June 2006, according to a report by Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc.

November saw 94 CEOs leave their jobs, 10 percent fewer than a year ago, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc .

October saw 89 chief executive officers leave their posts, 15 percent fewer than September’s 105 and 29 percent lower than the 125 CEO departures recorded in October a year ago, according to Chicago outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc .