[bwestergard]

The framing of this makes it seem like this is a sharp change in trend, but this long-running layoff tracker shows no evidence of this.

2020 and 2023 both had serious layoff spikes, but the 2023 spike trailed off to an asymptote that we're still hovering around.

https://layoffs.fyi/

[phyzix5761]

This is missing a lot of data. Companies that I know for a fact are doing mass tech layoffs are not listed here.

[bwestergard]

Then please do add your data through the submission form.

I'm sure some underreporting occurs, but what evidence is there that underreporting is worse this year than last year or the year before?

[cyanydeez]

If you go into the larger field, the trend since 2021 is overall concerning, particularly if you factor in Trump's desire to just stop reporting: https://www.macrotrends.net/3208/us-layoffs-and-discharges

[corysama]

According to that chart 2021 was anomalously low and it has been linearly returning to normal for the past four years.

AFAICT, the general populace is anxious about AI. So, the news knows they can get clicks with “You are right to be afraid. AI bad.” Meanwhile, CEOs know they can get stock boosts by saying “We are so AI we don’t need expenses. Infinite ROI!”

Put together we’re getting a ton of scary reporting on what looks like a quite normal business cycle (at least as far as layoffs go). And, everyone being afraid to hire is the only thing actually making it self-fulfilling.

[Forgeties79]

I wouldn’t call the massive levels of investment by both private equity and municipal/state governments “business as usual.” The sums being thrown down and/or promised are staggering. People/groups that lose are going to lose big.