January Layoffs Hit 14-Year High as Hiring Slump Deepens, Challenger Finds
U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs in January 2026, the highest January total since 2009, while just 5,306 new hires were announced—the lowest January since Challenger, Gray & Christmas began tracking the data. High-profile cuts at Amazon, UPS and Dow Inc. contributed to a surge in layoff activity, with transportation leading and tech following Amazon’s 16,000-reductions. Hiring plans fell about 13% from January 2025 and were down 49% from December, signaling a cautious outlook for 2026 despite headlines of a no-hire, no-fire labor market. Official data show mixed signals, including a spike in jobless claims likely weather-related, and WARN notices from over 100 companies indicate ongoing layoff planning.