THE ECONOMY

Payrolls Sliced in Slump, Poll Finds: More than half the nation’s companies cut jobs in the past year, according to a new survey by the American Management Assn. Middle management jobs were a prime target of cuts, which took place in 55% of firms--the highest level in five years. New England employers were the most likely to cut jobs, although West Coast companies--when they chose to cut back--slashed the largest number of jobs. Nationally, reductions averaged 9.6% of the company work force. And the trend continues: 22% of firms plan more cuts, the survey found.