The year 2025 proved to be one of the most difficult periods for workers in recent history. Layoffs spread across industries, affecting technology, retail, manufacturing, food, transportation, and airlines. Many of the companies involved are global leaders, yet they reduced their workforce as part of cost-cutting, restructuring, and automation efforts.
According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers announced 1.17 million layoffs in 2025, the highest number since 2020, when the pandemic triggered 2.2 million job cuts. Artificial intelligence played a major role, accounting for nearly 55,000 job cuts in the U.S. The pace of layoffs increased sharply toward the end of the year, with 153,000 cuts announced in October and 71,000 more in November.
Below is a detailed summary of the companies that made some of the largest job cuts during the year, based strictly on the original information provided.
Major Companies Behind the Largest Layoffs in 2025
Amazon announced one of the biggest layoffs in its history in late October. The company cut 14,000 corporate roles, representing about 4% of its 350,000 corporate employees. The decision was described as part of a broader effort to reduce bureaucracy, remove internal layers, and shift resources as artificial intelligence reshapes how work is done.
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UPS carried out one of the most extensive job reduction plans of the year. The company cut 48,000 jobs in 2025, including 34,000 operational roles and 14,000 management positions. UPS also closed 93 owned and leased buildings. The cuts followed an earlier announcement in April and were tied to cost reductions, network streamlining, and a move to reduce reliance on its largest customer.
Verizon announced in November that it would eliminate more than 13,000 jobs, affecting about 20% of its non-union workforce. The layoffs were part of a major restructuring aimed at simplifying operations. By the close of 2024, Verizon employed about 100,000 people in the United States, after reducing its workforce by nearly 20,000 positions over the prior three years.
Nestlé revealed plans in October to cut 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years. About 12,000 of the cuts will affect white-collar roles, while 4,000 jobs will be reduced in manufacturing and supply chain teams. The company pointed to automation and cost controls as key factors.
Technology, Retail, and Manufacturing Also Hit Hard
Procter & Gamble announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs by mid-2027, equal to about 6.4% of its workforce. The reductions mainly affect non-manufacturing roles and are being carried out through buyouts aimed at higher-paid employees. The company is also reviewing its product portfolio and brand lineup.
Intel confirmed in July that it was close to completing a plan to reduce its workforce by 15%, or around 15,000 jobs. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort and a $10 billion cost-cutting plan. At the end of 2024, Intel reported 108,900 employees and plans to end 2025 with 75,000 workers in its core division.
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Target announced in October 2025 that it eliminated 1,800 corporate roles, representing 8% of its corporate workforce. About 1,000 positions were laid off, while 800 unfilled roles were removed. Most cuts affected headquarters teams, including merchandising, engineering, analytics, strategy, and human resources.
HP stated in November that it plans to cut 4,000 to 6,000 jobs globally by the end of fiscal 2028. The restructuring will affect product development, internal operations, and customer support teams and is expected to deliver $1 billion in savings over three years.
Layoffs Extending Into Early 2026
American Airlines announced in November that it would lay off hundreds of corporate employees, mainly mid-level managers and support staff. The company did not release a specific number, but reports said the cuts were centered at its headquarters following a third-quarter loss.
General Motors confirmed it will lay off 1,140 workers at its Detroit Factory Zero plant starting January 5, 2026. Most affected roles include assembly operators, along with some material and quality positions. The layoffs were linked to slower production caused by weaker electric vehicle demand after the federal EV tax credit ended in late September 2025.
These layoffs highlight how widespread workforce reductions were throughout 2025, affecting millions of workers across major industries.