Major Layoffs Across Industries in 2025
Numerous significant companies have announced or implemented substantial layoffs in 2025. The reasons behind these workforce reductions vary, but common factors include cost-cutting measures, the impact of technological advancements, and corporate restructuring efforts.
Technology and Finance Sector Layoffs
- UPS: Plans to cut 20,000 jobs, approximately 4% of its global workforce, as part of a strategic reduction in its business with Amazon and increased automation.
- Microsoft: Confirmed performance-based job cuts in January, though the exact number of positions eliminated was not disclosed.
- Meta: Cut 5% of its workforce, targeting “low-performers,” with affected areas including Facebook, the Horizon virtual reality platform, and logistics.
- Salesforce: Slashed more than 1,000 jobs despite reporting strong financial performance, with a focus on hiring for AI-powered products.
Retail and Consumer Goods
- Coty: Cutting about 700 jobs as part of a cost-cutting measure aiming to reduce costs by $130 million annually.
- Estée Lauder: Plans to cut between 5,800 and 7,000 jobs over the next two years as part of a restructuring effort.
- Kohl’s: Reduced about 10% of its corporate roles to “increase efficiencies” and “improve profitability.”
- GrubHub: Laid off 500 employees, more than 20% of its workforce, following its acquisition by Wonder Group.
Energy and Manufacturing
- Chevron: Plans to cull 15% to 20% of its global workforce by the end of 2026, aiming to reduce costs and simplify its business structure.
- BP: Cut 7,700 staff and contractor positions worldwide as part of a program to “simplify and focus” the company.
- Boeing: Plans to cut 400 roles from its moon rocket program amid delays and rising costs related to NASA’s Artemis missions.
Media and Education
- CNN: Cut about 200 television-focused roles as part of a digital pivot.
- The Washington Post: Eliminated less than 100 employees in non-newsroom positions to cut costs.
- Johns Hopkins University: Plans to cut over 2,000 jobs due to the loss of $800 million in USAID funding.
These layoffs reflect broader trends in corporate restructuring and adaptation to technological changes across various industries.
