Companies Doing Layoffs 2025: The Complete Ranked List

The year 2025 has witnessed an unprecedented wave of corporate restructuring, with over 200,000 workers affected by layoffs across industries. From logistics giants to tech titans, companies are reshaping their workforces in response to AI-driven transformation, economic pressures, and strategic pivots.

This comprehensive analysis ranks companies by the magnitude of their workforce reductions, examines the industries hit hardest, and evaluates which employers treated their departing workers with the most dignity and support.

The Complete Rankings: Layoffs by Size

Based on verified layoff events through November 2025, here are the companies conducting the largest workforce reductions:

Top 10 Largest Layoffs by Employee Count

1. UPS , 48,000 employees

Percentage: 9.8% of workforce
Date: October 2025
Industry: Integrated Freight & Logistics

UPS disclosed the largest single layoff event of 2025, affecting 48,000 workers (34,000 operational roles and 14,000 management positions). This more than doubled the initial April 2025 plan of 20,000 cuts. The company closed 93 facilities as part of a $3.5 billion cost-saving initiative driven by automation, strategic reduction of low-margin Amazon business, and operational efficiency.

Severance Package: Union workers receive 1-2 weeks per year of service with a minimum of 4-8 weeks based on the 2023 Teamsters contract. Management employees get 2-4 weeks per year of service, capped at 26-52 weeks depending on level. Healthcare benefits continue for 6-12 months for union workers and 3-6 months for management.

2. Nestlé , 16,000 employees

Percentage: 6.0% of workforce
Date: October 2025
Industry: Consumer Staples

The Swiss food giant announced a global workforce reduction over two years to achieve 3 billion Swiss francs in cost savings by 2027. CEO Philipp Navratil emphasized the necessity of "hard but necessary decisions to reduce headcount" to accelerate growth momentum amid rising costs, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and increased competition in the packaged goods sector.

3. Amazon , 14,000 employees

Percentage: 4.0% of corporate workforce
Date: October 2025
Industry: Internet Retail

Amazon cut 14,000 corporate and tech positions, announced by SVP of People Experience and Technology Beth Galetti. This represents 4% of the 350,000-person corporate/tech workforce and is part of a broader AI-driven transformation to streamline corporate structure, remove layers, and increase investment in AI capabilities.

4. Verizon , 13,000 employees

Percentage: 15.0% of workforce
Date: November 2025
Industry: Telecom Services

Verizon announced sweeping restructuring under its new CEO, cutting more than 13,000 jobs following completion of 5G network buildout, automation of customer service operations, and consolidation of retail locations. The cuts primarily affect non-union management ranks as the company aims to streamline operations and improve profitability in a maturing telecommunications market.

5. Ford , 10,500 employees

Percentage: 6.1% of workforce
Date: June 2025
Industry: Automobiles

Ford announced 8,000 to 13,000 job cuts as it reorganizes operations to focus on electric vehicles. Reductions affect teams in the Model e EV division, commercial operations, U.S. legacy departments, and European manufacturing units as the company accelerates its EV transition.

6. Panasonic , 10,000 employees

Percentage: 4.8% of workforce
Date: May 2025
Industry: Consumer Electronics

The Japanese multinational announced major restructuring and corporate overhaul to streamline operations, improve profitability, and enhance competitiveness in the global electronics market.

7. Oracle , 10,000 employees

Percentage: 6.2% of workforce
Date: November 2025
Industry: Software Infrastructure

Oracle's layoffs are part of a $1.6 billion restructuring plan as the database giant adapts to cloud computing and AI infrastructure demands.

8. Chevron , 9,000 employees

Percentage: 20.0% of workforce
Date: April 2025
Industry: Oil & Gas

Chevron cut 8,000 to 10,000 jobs, representing up to 20% of its workforce. The reductions tie to cost-saving initiatives as the company finalizes its acquisition of Hess Corporation, aiming to eliminate redundancies and improve operational efficiency.

9. Hudson's Bay Company , 8,347 employees

Percentage: 100% of workforce
Date: May 2025
Industry: Department Stores

Complete store closure and business liquidation. Hudson's Bay Company wound down operations and shut down all stores, representing a complete liquidation of the Canadian retail business group, which struggled with declining sales and increased competition from e-commerce.

10. Estée Lauder , 7,000 employees

Percentage: 10.0% of workforce
Date: March 2025
Industry: Household & Personal Products

The cosmetics giant plans to reduce up to 7,000 positions as part of a profit recovery plan following weak global demand and challenges in key international markets, particularly China.

Layoffs by Industry: Where the Cuts Are Deepest

Technology Sector

The tech industry continues to face significant workforce reductions in 2025:

• Microsoft: 9,100 total (two rounds: 6,000 in May, 3,100 in July)
• Oracle: 10,000 employees
• Salesforce: 4,000 (5.2% of workforce) - AI automation of customer support
• Meta: 4,200 total (3,600 performance-based + 600 AI division restructuring)
• IBM: 5,400 (2% of workforce)
• Intel: 669 in Oregon (part of larger restructuring)
• Synopsys: 2,000 (10% of workforce, post-Ansys acquisition)

Key Trend: AI-driven restructuring is the dominant theme, with companies automating roles while increasing investment in AI infrastructure. Microsoft alone has cut over 9,000 jobs while spending billions on AI.

Telecom & Communications

• Verizon: 13,000 (15%)
• United States Cellular: 4,100 (100% - post-T-Mobile acquisition)
• Telus: 2,000 (Meta content moderation contract ended)
• Charter Communications: 1,200 (1%)
• Comcast: 540 (0.3%)

Retail & E-Commerce

• Amazon: 14,000 corporate roles
• Hudson's Bay: 8,347 (complete liquidation)
• Target: 1,800 (8% of corporate workforce)
• Starbucks: 2,000 total (two rounds)
• Kroger: 900 (post-Albertsons merger collapse)

Energy Sector

• Chevron: 9,000 (20%)
• ConocoPhillips: 2,600 (20%)

Financial Services & Consulting

• PwC: 5,600 global (1.5%)
• Vista Equity Partners: 233 (33% planned over coming years)

Best Companies for Layoff Treatment

Not all layoffs are created equal. Some companies have gone above and beyond to support departing employees with generous severance packages, extended benefits, and career transition support.

Top Performers:

1. UPS (Grade: A)

Why they rank high: Despite the massive scale (48,000 workers), UPS offered industry-leading severance packages negotiated through strong union contracts. Union workers receive 1-2 weeks per year of service with minimums of 4-8 weeks, plus 6-12 months of healthcare coverage. Management receives 2-4 weeks per year of service, capped at 26-52 weeks depending on level.

2. Microsoft (Grade: B+)

Why they rank: While Microsoft cut 9,100 jobs in 2025, the company historically provides strong severance (typically 60 days minimum plus additional weeks based on tenure), career transition services, and healthcare continuation.

3. Starbucks (Grade: B)

Why they rank: As part of their $1 billion restructuring, Starbucks provided advance notice and career transition support for affected corporate employees.

Worst Companies for Layoff Treatment

Bottom Performers:

1. Hudson's Bay Company (Grade: F)

Why they rank low: Complete liquidation with minimal severance for retail workers. The Canadian retail giant's bankruptcy left 8,347 workers with little support.

2. Gameskraft (Grade: D-)

Why they rank low: Indian gaming company cut 83.5% of workforce (501 of 600 employees) with minimal advance notice following regulatory changes and internal fraud. Reports indicate minimal severance packages.

3. Northvolt (Grade: D)

Why they rank low: Swedish battery manufacturer filed for bankruptcy and laid off 3,300 employees with uncertainty around severance due to insolvency proceedings.

Key Trends in 2025 Layoffs

1. AI as Primary Driver

Companies across sectors cite AI automation as justification for cuts:

• Salesforce: CEO Marc Benioff announced AI can handle 50% of customer support work
• Microsoft & Amazon: Cutting jobs while investing billions in AI infrastructure
• Vista Equity Partners: Planning 33% workforce reduction over time due to AI automation
• xAI: Laid off 500 generalist AI tutors to focus on specialist roles

2. Performance-Based Culling

Meta led the trend with 5% cuts targeting "low performers," aiming for 10% "non-regrettable" attrition. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to "move out low-performers faster" and "raise the bar on performance management."

3. Post-Merger Redundancies

• US Cellular: 4,100 jobs post-T-Mobile acquisition
• Synopsys: 2,000 jobs after $35B Ansys acquisition
• Kroger: 900 jobs after failed Albertsons merger

4. Retail Apocalypse Continues

E-commerce pressure and changing consumer behavior claim victims:

• Hudson's Bay: Complete liquidation
• Target: 1,800 corporate roles
• Starbucks: 2,000 roles across two rounds

5. First-Ever Cuts at Legacy Companies

• Southwest Airlines: First major layoffs in 53-year history (1,750 jobs, 15% of corporate workforce)

Geographic Impact

United States

The U.S. bore the brunt of 2025 layoffs, particularly in tech hubs:

• Silicon Valley: Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Oracle, Intel
• Pacific Northwest: Amazon (Seattle), Microsoft (Redmond), Intel (Oregon)
• Texas: Multiple tech and telecom companies

Europe

• Sweden: Northvolt bankruptcy (3,300 jobs)
• Switzerland: Nestlé (16,000 global)
• France, Germany, UK: Ford EV transition cuts

Asia

• South Korea: SK Telecom (1,648 jobs, 30% of executives)
• India: Gameskraft (501 jobs, 83.5%)
• Japan: Panasonic (10,000 jobs)

What to Do if You're Affected

Immediate Steps

1. Review your severance package: Don't sign immediately. Consult an employment attorney if the package seems inadequate.
2. File for unemployment: Do this immediately, even if you have severance. Wait times can be long.
3. Extend healthcare coverage: Explore COBRA, spouse's plan, or ACA marketplace options.
4. Document everything: Save emails, review packages, and company communications.
5. Update LinkedIn: Add "Open to Work" and update your profile before you lose company access.

Medium-Term Strategy

• Network aggressively: Reach out to former colleagues, attend industry events, and join professional groups.
• Consider career transition services: Many severance packages include outplacement support. Use it.
• Upskill strategically: If AI is replacing your role, identify adjacent skills employers value.
• Evaluate geographic flexibility: Some industries are hiring in specific regions despite overall cuts.

Looking Ahead: What 2026 Holds

Industry analysts predict 2026 will see continued workforce optimization as companies:

• Accelerate AI adoption: Automation will claim more customer service, data entry, and analytical roles
• Consolidate post-pandemic expansions: Companies that over-hired during 2021-2022 continue rightsizing
• Shift to specialist roles: Generalist positions decline while specialized AI, data science, and cybersecurity roles grow
• Embrace remote work selectively: Some companies cutting office-based roles while maintaining remote specialists

Methodology

This analysis draws from verified layoff events in the theNumbers.io database, which aggregates data from:

• Official company announcements: SEC filings, press releases, investor relations
• WARN Act notices: Legally required advance notifications
• Verified news reports: Major business publications (WSJ, Bloomberg, Reuters, AP)
• Company financial disclosures: Quarterly earnings reports and annual filings

Severance package ratings are based on:

• Length of severance pay
• Healthcare continuation
• Advance notice provided
• Career transition support
• Stock option treatment
• Treatment of visa workers

Final Thoughts

The 2025 layoff wave represents more than just cost-cutting. It's a fundamental restructuring of the American workforce driven by artificial intelligence, changing consumer behavior, and post-pandemic economic recalibration.

For workers, the message is clear: adaptability matters more than ever. The jobs that survive this transformation will require skills that complement rather than compete with AI, strategic thinking over routine execution, and creativity that machines can't replicate.

For companies, this moment presents both opportunity and risk. Those that handle layoffs with dignity, transparency, and generous support will maintain employee trust and employer brand. Those that don't risk lasting reputational damage in an era where Glassdoor reviews and social media expose poor treatment instantly.

The complete list of affected companies continues to evolve. Visit theNumbers.io for real-time updates on layoff events, company profiles, and data-driven employment intelligence.