Layoffs Loom: 45% of Managers Brace for 2025 Cuts Amid Economic Strains & Automation

45%

According to a report by ResumeTemplates, nearly 45% of U.S. managers expect layoffs in 2025, citing reasons such as economic challenges, automation, and overstaffing. Additionally, 31% of companies have implemented hiring freezes, while others focus on cost-cutting strategies like reducing bonuses and office space.

57%

During the first half of 2025, 57% of workers plan to look for a new role, with 71% intending to do so within the next 12 months, according to a Bartech Staffing report. Top reasons for change include higher pay (76%), better work-life balance (59%), and career advancement (50%).

5%

Meta will lay off 5% of its workforce—around 3,600 employees—by February 10, 2025, as part of a performance-based restructuring effort. This move aligns with broader tech industry trends, as giants like Google and Microsoft also focus on trimming low performers and redirecting investments toward AI innovation.

87%

Despite growing investments in generative AI, a report by Accenture reveals a lack of focus on the talent impacted by the technology. While 87% of APAC C-suite leaders plan to increase gen AI investments in 2025, only 70% of employees feel adequately trained to use it efficiently, compared to 91% of leaders who believe otherwise. The report highlights gaps in understanding, with only 30% of employees grasping gen AI's potential value.

223,000

The number of first-time unemployment claims rose to 223,000 last week, the highest in over a month, according to the Labor Department. This marks a 6,000 increase from the prior week’s 217,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 213,000, reflecting a snapshot of workforce stability.