Companies Laying Off Staff This Year: A Comprehensive List
The first quarter of 2026 has come to a close, and the trend of layoffs is well underway. Several major companies, including Block and Tailwind, have cut staff, citing the impact of artificial intelligence as one of the reasons for the layoffs. Target, on the other hand, is shifting resources from its supply chain to its stores as part of its new CEO’s turnaround strategy to improve the shopping experience and return to growth.
According to WARN Tracker, over 100 companies, including Amazon, Nike, and Verizon, have filed legally mandated WARN notices about job cuts to come in 2026. Some of these cuts are part of previously announced reductions. This year’s layoffs follow three years of significant workforce reductions across various industries, including tech, media, finance, and retail.
Read Also: WNBA Star Angel Reese Ditches Social Media After Realizing Its Toxic Toll
Driving Factors Behind the Layoffs
The moves are driven by artificial intelligence, public policy, and broader economic conditions, which are causing sweeping changes in the business landscape. A World Economic Forum survey conducted last year found that 41% of companies worldwide expect to reduce their workforces in the next five years due to the rise of artificial intelligence. The survey also found that jobs in big data, fintech, and AI are expected to double by 2030.
Companies Affected by Layoffs
Several major companies have announced layoffs this year. Here are some of the companies with job cuts underway in 2026, listed in alphabetical order:
- Amazon: Eliminating around 16,000 corporate roles globally, marking its second round of mass layoffs since October.
- Angi: Cutting around 350 jobs to reduce operating expenses and optimize its organizational structure in support of long-term growth.
- Atlassian: Cutting about 10% of its workforce as it invests in AI to reshape its organization.
- Citi: Cutting more jobs this year as part of its plan to reduce its workforce by 10%, or 20,000 employees.
- Crypto.com: Laid off 12% of its workforce, including roles that do not adapt in its new world.
- Dell: Cut its workforce by 10% for the third year in a row.
- eBay: Eliminating about 800 jobs globally, making up 6% of its workforce.
- Epic Games: Laying off more than 1,000 people, about 20% of its workforce, as engagement with Fortnite declined.
- Expedia: Laid off some employees and posted new job openings, although the exact number of affected workers is unclear.
- GoPro: Laying off about 145 employees as it tries to cut operating costs and restructure operations.
- Heineken: Cutting 5,000 to 6,000 roles over the next two years to boost productivity and bring down costs.
Conclusion
The trend of layoffs is expected to continue in 2026, with several major companies announcing job cuts. The driving factors behind these layoffs include artificial intelligence, public policy, and broader economic conditions. As the business landscape continues to evolve, companies must adapt to stay competitive, and this may involve reducing their workforces to optimize their organizational structures and invest in emerging technologies like AI.