Breaking Job News: 1.2 Million Layoffs in 2025 & Hiring Hits a 15-Year Low

Hiring looked better in December, but don’t let the headlines fool you.

Layoffs eased, and jobs ticked up, yet the labor market is still stuck in neutral. Fewer job postings, softer starting pay, and cautious employer demand signal a slowdown beneath the surface. Host Pete Newsome unpacks why 2025 delivered historic layoffs, why the government led the cuts, and why policy, not AI, was the real driver behind most downsizing.

He also breaks down the signals that matter most right now: initial jobless claims hit their lowest level since April 2024, but continuing claims climbed, showing that job searches are taking longer. That tension is playing out across hiring funnels, with greater selectivity, slower decision-making, and a growing premium on proven, measurable impact. Whether you’re hiring or job hunting, we share practical strategies to navigate a market that rewards precision over volume.

Finally, Pete gets into worker confidence. Glassdoor’s Employee Confidence Index ended the year flat, but only after collapsing to a record low mid-year. Government employees were hit hardest, and mid-level workers saw the largest drop in confidence, challenging the idea that “safe” roles still exist.

With momentum fragile heading into the new year, is this a pause before recovery, or the new normal for hiring?

Articles:
1. Challenger, Gray & Christmas Year-End Report: https://www.challengergray.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Challenger-Report-December-2025.pdf
2. Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoor-employee-confidence-index-december-2025/
3. U.S. Department of Labor Claims Report: https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf
4. Revelio Public Labor Statistics: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revelio-public-labor-statistics-reports-71-000-us-jobs-added-in-december-302656478.html

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/