Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Jul 01 Challenger Report: June Layoffs Cool To 45,849, Down 53% From May; AI Leads Reasons For Fourth Consecutive Month
Jul 01 Challenger Report: June Layoffs Cool To 45,849, Down 53% From May; AI Leads Reasons For Fourth Consecutive Month
U.S.-based employers announced 45,849 job cuts in June, down 53% from the 97,006 cuts announced in May. June’s total is down 4% from the 47,999 cuts announced in the same month last year, and marks the lowest monthly total since December 2025, according to a report released Wednesday from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Read the full report here.
Through June, employers have announced 443,604 job cuts, down 40% from the 744,308 cuts announced in the first half of 2025. It is the second-highest January-to-June total since 2020, trailing only last year’s government-driven surge. This is the fourth time this year job cuts were lower than the corresponding month one year earlier.
Employers announced 226,242 job cuts in the second quarter of 2026, up 4% from the 217,362 cuts announced in the first quarter. It is down 9% from the 247,256 cuts announced in the second quarter of 2025.
“The pace of layoffs cooled considerably in June, similar to plans last June, and as is typical for summer months. That said, the cuts we are seeing remain concentrated in technology, and artificial intelligence continues to reshape how companies think about headcount,” said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
WHICH INDUSTRIES CUT THE MOST IN MAY?
TECHNOLOGY
Technology again led all sectors, announcing 15,503 job cuts in June for a total of 139,156 in 2026. That is an increase of 83% from the 76,214 cuts announced in this sector through June 2025. Technology now accounts for nearly a third of all job cuts announced this year.
{snip}
U.S.-based employers announced 45,849 job cuts in June, down 53% from the 97,006 cuts announced in May. June’s total is down 4% from the 47,999 cuts announced in the same month last year, and marks the lowest monthly total since December 2025, according to a report released Wednesday from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Read the full report here.
Through June, employers have announced 443,604 job cuts, down 40% from the 744,308 cuts announced in the first half of 2025. It is the second-highest January-to-June total since 2020, trailing only last year’s government-driven surge. This is the fourth time this year job cuts were lower than the corresponding month one year earlier.
Employers announced 226,242 job cuts in the second quarter of 2026, up 4% from the 217,362 cuts announced in the first quarter. It is down 9% from the 247,256 cuts announced in the second quarter of 2025.
“The pace of layoffs cooled considerably in June, similar to plans last June, and as is typical for summer months. That said, the cuts we are seeing remain concentrated in technology, and artificial intelligence continues to reshape how companies think about headcount,” said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
WHICH INDUSTRIES CUT THE MOST IN MAY?
TECHNOLOGY
Technology again led all sectors, announcing 15,503 job cuts in June for a total of 139,156 in 2026. That is an increase of 83% from the 76,214 cuts announced in this sector through June 2025. Technology now accounts for nearly a third of all job cuts announced this year.
{snip}