The RI Department of Labor and Training has changed the way it reports monthly labor information. But one notable observation is that the number of payroll jobs based in Rhode Island actually fell from August to September.  Total jobs went up, however, owing to big increases in state and local government jobs.

The industries that saw decreases are worth noting:

• Construction down by 100
• Financial activities down by 300
• Health care and social assistance down by 400
• Leisure and hospitality down by 700
• Other services down by 100

The relatively big decrease in healthcare and social assistance during a time of shortage makes one wonder if that’s a result of Governor McKee’s vaccine mandate.