"Jobs website Glassdoor warned of " forever layoffs" in mid-November, as a small drip-drip-drip of cuts throughout the year flew under the radar of most newspaper headlines while instilling fear throughout white-collar ranks. Now, the recruitment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas has added a crucial bit of insight and one big number: 1.1. million. That's how many layoffs have been announced year-to-date, only the sixth time since 1993 that threshold has been breached."
"Technology remains the hardest-hit private-sector industry, with more than 150,000 job cuts announced so far this year as firms continue to reset headcount after the boom years while they increasingly lean into automation. Telecom providers, food companies, services firms, retailers, nonprofits and media organizations are all shedding workers as well, in many cases at double- or triple-digit percentage increases over last year."
"Specifically, U.S.-based employers announced 1,170,821 job cuts in the first 11 months of 2025, up 54% from the same period in 2024. That makes 2025 one of only six years since 1993 in which announced layoffs through November have topped 1.1 million, putting it in the company of 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009 and the pandemic shock of 2020. November alone saw 71,321 cuts, the highest for that month since 2022 and well above typical pre-pandemic November levels."
U.S.-based employers announced 1,170,821 job cuts through November 2025, a 54% increase from the same period in 2024 and one of only six years since 1993 to top 1.1 million. Technology led with more than 150,000 cuts as firms reset headcount and accelerate automation. Telecom, food, services, retail, nonprofits and media also reported substantial increases, often double- or triple-digit percentages. November recorded 71,321 cuts, the highest November total since 2022. Federal JOLTS data indicates roughly 1.7 million people were laid off over the same period, suggesting announced cuts understate the full extent. The shape of layoffs is shifting toward more distributed reductions.
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