Workforce reductions are sweeping across industries in 2025, from tech and manufacturing to energy and retail. Many well-known companies are shrinking staff to cope with rising costs, changing consumer habits, and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence. 

A closer look reveals that while tech itself is booming, not every worker benefits equally from this shift. A financial expert at FTMX Global explores what’s behind these layoffs and what they reveal about the bigger economic picture.

Big Names, Big Cuts

This year’s layoff wave reads like a who’s who of major brands.

• Microsoft has trimmed around 6,000 jobs so far, with more cuts expected this summer affecting up to 4% of its workforce.
• Meta is cutting another 5% of its staff as it raises performance standards, following earlier cuts that totaled 21,000 roles.
• Bumble will shrink its workforce by 30%, about 240 employees, as it reorganizes to match new priorities.
• Ally, the digital financial firm, is laying off 500 workers, about 5% of its team.
• Intel expects to cut at least 15% of staff in its chip foundry unit to simplify operations.
• UPS plans to eliminate 20,000 positions as it leans on automation and reduces its business with Amazon.

Retail and Media Feel the Pinch

It’s not just tech firms feeling the squeeze. Traditional brands are slashing headcount to protect profits.

• Adidas is cutting up to 500 jobs at its headquarters in Germany, reshaping its operating model.
• Kohl’s will reduce about 10% of corporate roles and close 27 stores to boost efficiency.
• Paramount announced plans to cut 3.5% of its U.S. workforce as it merges with Skydance Media.
• CNN shed about 200 jobs, or 6% of its workforce, pivoting to digital growth.
• The Washington Post also trimmed about 4% of its non-newsroom staff.
• Burberry plans to axe 1,700 jobs, around 18% of its total workforce, by 2027 to save $130 million.

Aerospace, Energy, and Industrial Giants Join In

Major players in energy, aerospace, and manufacturing are reshaping teams, too.

• Chevron aims to shrink its global headcount by up to 20%, removing 9,000 jobs by 2026 to cut costs.
• Boeing is cutting 400 jobs from its moon rocket program and has already shed 10% of its workforce last year.
• Blue Origin, the private space firm, will let go of about 10% of its people, more than 1,000 jobs, to sharpen its focus.
• BP confirmed it will reduce its combined workforce and contractors by 7,700 positions worldwide.
• Nissan will eliminate 20,000 jobs by 2027 and close seven factories to address losses and tariff challenges.
• Panasonic plans to cut 10,000 jobs globally by March 2026 to streamline operations.

Universities and Nonprofits Not Spared

Even academia and non-profits are tightening their belts.

• Johns Hopkins University faces its biggest layoff ever, cutting more than 2,000 jobs after losing major USAID funding.
• Bridgewater, the hedge fund giant, laid off about 90 employees, about 7% of its workforce.

The AI Paradox: More Tech, Fewer Jobs?

Behind many cuts is the push toward artificial intelligence. A recent survey from the World Economic Forum found that 41% of companies expect to reduce headcount over five years due to AI. At the same time, jobs in AI, big data, and fintech could double by 2030.

Companies like Dropbox, Block, and Workday have linked cuts to a pivot toward automation and new tech. Stripped 300 workers, yet plans to grow its total staff as it shifts resources to product, engineering, and AI.

Cost Cutting and Competition

For some, it’s also about leaner budgets and changing strategy. Disney cut hundreds of roles in marketing, news, and TV after already axing 7,000 jobs in a broader reorganization. Estée Lauder will shed up to 7,000 roles to “right-size” teams and outsource work, saving nearly $1 billion annually.

Salesforce, despite strong results, trimmed over 1,000 jobs, partly to refocus on selling its new AI tools. Wayfair, CrowdStrike, and Sonos are among other tech names streamlining operations to boost profit.

What This Means for Workers

For employees, this wave shows how quickly job security can shift, even for companies posting profits. Severance packages, redeployment offers, and hiring freezes often soften the blow, but the pace of layoffs is a stark reminder of how new tech and efficiency drives can reshape entire industries.

Conclusion

Mass layoffs in 2025 are a sign of deeper shifts: companies balancing cost pressures, the push to adopt AI, and competition in fast-changing markets. While some sectors slash jobs, new roles in AI and tech are growing just as fast, though not always for the same people losing jobs today. As the financial experts from FTMX Global notes, the story of this year’s cuts is less about decline and more about how work itself keeps evolving, forcing companies and workers to adapt faster than ever.