economy
February 5, 2026
Layoffs in January were the highest to start a year since 2009, Challenger says
With the recent narrative centering on a no-hire, no-fire labor market, the data suggests that the layoff part of the equation could be stepping up.
TL;DR
- January recorded the highest number of layoff announcements since the 2009 global financial crisis.
- Hiring intentions in January reached their lowest point since 2009.
- Employer outlook for 2026 is signaled as less optimistic due to these layoff plans.
- Key sectors contributing to layoffs include transportation (UPS) and technology (Amazon).
- Job openings reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics fell significantly in December to their lowest level since September 2020.
- The ratio of available jobs to unemployed workers has decreased substantially.
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