According to a Friday-released report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for the month of June was 'on the rise' - marking 'the worst-ever in a generation' in certain regions, like Maryland.

The recently-released figures reveal that as many as fifteen states and the District of Columbia are now weighed down with double-digit unemployment rates.

Specifically speaking, while the national unemployment rate stood at 9.5 percent for the month of June, Michigan - which houses the country's battered auto industry - had the worst unemployment rate of any state, at 15.2 percent; while North Dakota had the least jobless rate, that of 4.2 percent.

Three other states with high unemployment rates, above 12 percent, include - Rhode Island with 12.4 percent; Oregon with 12.2 percent; and South Carolina with 12.1 percent.

While Maryland's June unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent, from May's figures of 7.2 percent; the District of Columbia jobless rate for the month increased from
10.7 percent to 10.9 percent; and Virginia saw a move up in the rate from 7.1 percent to 7.2 percent!

Noting Maryland's worst-ever employment scene since 1983, Chuck Durakis - President of Durakis Executive Search - said: "It's probably at least as bad a recession as any I've seen. There are opportunities out there, but there's no question, it's difficult!"