Layoff announcements surged last month: The worst October in 22 years

[UpInArms]

Source: CNN

Washington
—
Company announcements of layoffs in the United States surged in October as AI continued to disrupt the labor market.

Announced job cuts last month climbed by more than 153,000, according to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas released Thursday, up 175% from the same month a year earlier and the highest October increase since 2003. Layoff announcements surpassed more than a million in first 10 months of this year, an increase of 65% compared to the same period last year.

“This is the highest total for October in over 20 years, and the highest total for a single month in the fourth quarter since 2008. Like in 2003, a disruptive technology is changing the landscape,” the report said.

The outplacement and executive coaching firm said America’s labor market continued to normalize after a pandemic-era boom, but also cited “AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and rising costs” as key factors putting companies under pressure.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/economy/job-layoff-announcements-challenger

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. They let the report out early. The scheduled release time was 7:30 a.m.

I know this, because ...

Good catch, and good morning.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Just in time for recession and midterms: tRump to focus on affordability next year

Top Trump political adviser says president will focus on affordability next year

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143559801

[gab13by13]

3. Wall Street loves it

AI is doing its job.

[UpInArms]

4. Am reminded of Jeffrey Skilling

People just gum up the works

[wolfie001]

10. We, "the eaters" are the problem

republiCONs are just evil, smelly, vile humans.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

5. But no job report on friday

[wolfie001]

11. Imagine the folks sweating the details in the Dept. of Labor Stats

God knows what that fat orange fraud/felon imbecile is up to.

[WSHazel]

6. Media letting Trump off the hook

A lot of progressives are too. Blaming AI for every layoff announcement is letting Trump off the hook for terrible economic policies. AI’s current capabilities are limited and do not come close to replacing humans in most jobs, in part because humans are already digitized in most jobs. There is a lot of good technology already out there, so a human + good existing tech > AI in the vast majority of white collar jobs.

CEO’s say “AI” whenever they can because it boosts their stock price, and they are all terrified of Trump’s wrath if they blame his terrible policies. But Trump’s terrible economy is 100% driving these layoffs, not AI, and I wish the media and progressives would stop repeating Trump’s talking points.

[Ursus Rex]

7. There's a link below this thread that contradicts that.

The ADP jobs report says employment and pay increased. Someone is wrong.

Edit:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-national-employment-report-private-sector-employment-increased-by-42-000-jobs-in-october-annual-pay-was-up-4-5-302605577.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. You're referring to this:

Wed Nov 5, 2025: ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector Employment Increased by 42,000 Jobs in October; Annual Pay was Up 4.5%

It is not impossible that hiring and layoffs occur simultaneously.

Job gains in firms involved in repossessing automobiles can be going like hotcakes just as job losses among Republican pollsters are soaring.

And good morning.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. Some previous Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports:

Thu Oct 2, 2025: September Job Cuts Fall 37% From August; YTD Total Highest Since 2020, Lowest YTD Hiring Since 2009

Thu Jul 31, 2025: Summer Lull In June 2025 As Companies Announce Virtually The Same Number Of Cuts As Last Year; Highest Q2, YTD Cuts ...

Mon May 5, 2025: Challenger, Gray & Christmas April Job Cut Announcements

[El Mimbreno]

12. Gee, whodathunkit?

Everything "it" has done was guaranteed to trash the economy. And the beat goes on.

[Luciferous]

13. My husband lost his job today due to

"budget cuts". He works in manufacturing.

[riversedge]

15. I hope you have the support you need.

[Luciferous]

16. Yeah, we'll be fine but it still sucks

because he really liked his job.

[BlueWavePsych]

14. Kick