The U.S. is facing a wave of layoffs in 2025, with job cuts impacting nearly every sector—from Silicon Valley to federal agencies and factory floors. As companies restructure and government departments shrink, workers across the country are voicing growing frustration and fear.
📉 Layoffs Surge Across the Nation
In March 2025, job cuts surged by 205% compared to the previous year, totaling 275,240 layoffs—the third-highest monthly figure ever recorded. This spike was largely driven by mass layoffs of government workers, with more than 216,000 federal employees dismissed as part of cost-cutting measures by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) .CBS News
In the tech industry, over 61,000 jobs have been eliminated across more than 130 companies, including major players like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and CrowdStrike. These layoffs are attributed to slower revenue growth, global economic uncertainty, and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into business operations .The Times of India
Manufacturing has also been hit hard. International Paper announced the closure of two facilities in Edinburg, Texas, and staff reductions at a McAllen location, resulting in 137 layoffs. The company is relocating parts of its operations to Reynosa, Mexico, citing decreased demand for paper and packaging .MySA
🏛️ Federal Workforce Faces Deep Cuts
The federal government is undergoing significant workforce reductions. The Department of Health and Human Services is expected to lose nearly a quarter of its staff, with 10,000 jobs cut through layoffs and another 10,000 through early retirement and voluntary separation offers .The Guardian+9Reuters+9NPR+9The Associated Press
The Internal Revenue Service plans to reduce its workforce by half, aiming to cut approximately 45,000 positions through layoffs, natural attrition, and buyouts. These cuts have raised concerns about potential delays in tax return processing and reduced customer service .The GuardianWikipedia+1CBS News+1
The Department of Defense announced plans to fire about 5,400 probationary employees and is considering a 5- to 8-percent cut of its roughly 760,000-person civilian workforce .Wikipedia
📊 Companies Brace for More Layoffs
A survey conducted in January 2025 found that 45% of U.S. companies anticipate layoffs this year. Factors contributing to this outlook include the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and policy changes under the Trump administration .ResumeTemplates.com
Additionally, 31% of companies have implemented hiring freezes, and 13% plan to do so later in the year .HR Dive
📢 Workers Express Growing Concerns
The widespread layoffs have led to increased anxiety among workers. Many are concerned about job security, the impact of automation, and the adequacy of support systems during this period of economic transition.
As the nation navigates these challenges, the voices of affected workers are becoming more prominent, calling for greater transparency and support from both employers and policymakers.