Chief executives stay employed

The year has been surprisingly kind to the nation's chief executive officers, at least when it comes to job security.

Overall, departures from folks occupying the corner office are down 18% in 2009 as compared to 2008, according to a new survey from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In total, 1,122 CEOs left their job through November in 2009, down from 1,361 that left through November of 2008, according to the survey.

Moreover, at the current pace, this year will be the best year for CEO job security since 2004, when 663 departures were recorded.

Hospitals and health care firms have had the most turnovers, the survey reported, followed by nonprofits and financial industry companies.

Other sectors fared much better.

For instance, turnover in the retail industry is down 33% from 2008, while the construction industry dropped from 23 CEO changes in 2008 to three so far in 2009.