The tech layoff wave persisted throughout 2025, affecting over 22,000 workers across the industry according to tracked reports. February recorded the highest monthly total with 16,234 job cuts, while the year saw significant reductions from major companies including Intel, Amazon, and Microsoft. The layoffs reflect a combination of factors: restructuring, increased automation and AI adoption, shifting market demands, and cost-cutting measures.

The year began with modest reductions in January, totaling 2,403 employees. Notable cuts included Amazon laying off dozens in its communications department, Stripe cutting 300 people, and Meta announcing a 5% reduction targeting low performers. By February, the pace accelerated dramatically to 16,234 layoffs. Companies like HP cut up to 2,000 jobs, GrubHub eliminated 500 positions after its acquisition, and Autodesk laid off 1,350 employees. February also saw major moves from Workday (1,750 cuts), Salesforce (over 1,000), and Sonos (about 200).

Major Contributors to the Wave

Intel's Massive Restructuring

Intel led many headlines with its largest cuts. In March it laid off over 2,400 workers in Oregon alone. By April, the company announced plans to eliminate more than 21,000 positions — roughly 20% of its workforce — under newly appointed CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Additional cuts followed in June when Intel said it would lay off 15% to 20% of its Intel Foundry division starting in July. Foundry employs about 108,900 people as of December 2024. The chipmaker also wound down its auto business.

Amazon's Continued Reductions

Amazon remained another major contributor. In December, the company cut 84 jobs in Seattle and Bellevue. In October, after Reuters reported up to 30,000 potential corporate cuts, Amazon confirmed a reduction of approximately 14,000 roles. It laid off 660 employees across multiple New York City offices, with more expected through the year. Earlier in May, Amazon reportedly laid off around 100 employees from its devices and services division, including Alexa and Ring. Since the start of 2022, Amazon has reduced its workforce by approximately 27,000.

Microsoft's Layoff Series

Microsoft conducted multiple rounds in 2025. In July, it cut 9,000 employees (less than 4% of global workforce). June saw additional layoffs affecting software engineers and other roles. Earlier, in May, Microsoft cut over 6,500 jobs (3% of worldwide workforce). January had less than 1% reduction, and there were cuts in multiple earlier months. The company also discussed in April possibly reducing middle managers.

Monthly Breakdown of Layoff Events

January

• Cushion shut down operations entirely.
• Placer.ai laid off 150 employees (18% of workforce).
• Stripe cut 300 people but planned 17% headcount growth.
• Meta announced 5% reduction targeting low performers.
• Amazon laid off dozens in communications.
• Wayfair cut up to 730 jobs; exited Germany.
• SolarEdge Technologies laid off 400 globally (fourth round since Jan 2024).

February

• HP cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of "Future Now" restructuring.
• GrubHub cut 500 jobs after Wonder Group acquisition.
• Autodesk laid off 1,350 employees (9% of workforce).
• Google cut People Operations and cloud roles; offered voluntary exits.
• Workday laid off 1,750 employees (8.5% of total).
• Salesforce eliminated more than 1,000 jobs while hiring for AI products.
• Cruise laid off 50% of workforce including CEO; operations to move under GM.
• Okta cut 180 employees.
• Zendesk cut 51 in San Francisco.
• Sprinklr laid off about 500 (15% of workforce).
• Blue Origin laid off about 10% (over 1,000).
• Redfin cut around 450 positions.
• Sophos cut 6% of workforce after Secureworks acquisition.
• Zepz cut nearly 200; closed Poland and Kenya operations.
• JustWorks cut nearly 200.
• Bird cut 120 jobs (one-third of workforce).

March

• Northvolt laid off 2,800 employees (62% of staff) after bankruptcy filing.
• Block cut 931 employees (8% of workforce) for reorganization.
• Brightcove laid off 198 employees (two-thirds of US workforce) after Bending Spoons acquisition.
• Acxiom laid off 130 employees (3.5%).
• Sequoia Capital closed Washington D.C. office; laid off policy team.
• Siemens announced 5,600 job cuts globally in automation and EV charging.
• HelloFresh laid off 273 in Texas.
• TikTok cut up to 300 in Dublin (10% of Irish workforce).
• Wayfair laid off 340 in technology division.
• HPE cut 2,500 employees (5% of total).
• Rec Room reduced headcount by 16%.
• Ola Electric laid off over 1,000 employees and contractors.

April

• Intel planned to lay off more than 21,000 employees (20% of workforce).
• NetApp eliminated 700 jobs (6% of workforce).
• Electronic Arts let go of 300-400 employees, including Respawn.
• Expedia laid off around 3% of employees.
• Meta let go of over 100 in Reality Labs.
• Automattic laid off 16% of workforce (over 270 staff).
• Canva let go of 10-12 technical writers.

May

• Microsoft cut over 6,500 jobs (3% of global workforce).
• Chegg let go of 248 employees (22% of workforce).
• Match reduced workforce by 13%.
• CrowdStrike laid off 5% of global workforce (500 people).
• General Fusion cut roughly 25% of workforce.
• Beam shut down; let go of 200 employees.

June

• Bumble cut 240 jobs (30% of workforce).
• TomTom cut 300 jobs (10% of workforce).
• Rivian cut 140 employees (1% of total).
• Intel laid off 15-20% of Foundry division.
• Microsoft laid off more employees across multiple roles.

July

• Microsoft cut 9,000 employees (less than 4% of global).
• Indeed + Glassdoor eliminated 1,300 jobs combined.
• Scale AI laid off around 200 employees (14%) and severed ties with 500 contractors.
• Intel laid off nearly 2,400 in Oregon.
• Lenovo cut more than 100 US full-time jobs.
• Atlassian cut 150 customer service and support roles.

August

• Yotpo laid off about 200 employees (34% of global workforce).
• Peloton cut 6% of workforce.
• Oracle cut 101 jobs in Santa Clara and 161 in Seattle, plus earlier cuts.
• F5 cut 106 positions in Washington.
• Kaltura cut 10% of workforce (70 employees).
• Windsurf laid off 30 employees; offered buyouts to remaining 200.

September

• Just Eat eliminated 450 jobs.
• Fiverr cut 250 jobs (30% of workforce).
• ZipRecruiter closed Tel Aviv development center; cut 80 jobs.
• xAI laid off about 500 data annotation team members.
• Rivian laid off about 200 workers (1.5% of staff).
• Salesforce cut 262 jobs in San Francisco.

October

• Amazon eliminated 14,000 corporate roles; 660 cut in New York.
• Rivian cut 600 jobs (4% of workforce).
• Meta laid off 600 across AI infrastructure units.
• Applied Materials cut 1,400 jobs (4% of workforce).
• Handshake laid off 100 employees (15% of US workforce).
• Smartsheet laid off 120+ employees.
• Google cut 100+ design roles in cloud; 50+ permanent cuts in Sunnyvale.
• Paycom laid off 500+ employees due to AI automation.

November

• Intel cut 59 Bay Area jobs.
• HP set to cut 4,000-6,000 jobs worldwide by 2028.
• Apple cut sales positions handling business and government accounts.
• Monarch Tractor may lay off 100+ or shut down.
• Playtika announced 700-800 job cuts (20% of workforce).
• Pipe laid off 200 employees (half of workforce).
• Synopsys cut 2,000 jobs (10% of workforce) due to Ansys acquisition.
• Deepwatch cut 60-80 jobs, citing AI as factor.

December

• Zebra Technologies winding down AMR business; most employees expected to leave.
• Amazon cut 84 jobs in Seattle and Bellevue.
• Lusha laid off 8% of workforce (24 employees).
• Tenstorrent cut 7.5% of workforce (1000 employees left).
• Payoneer let go of about 60 employees (6% of global).
• VSCO laid off 24 employees.
• Mobileye cut 200 employees (4% of global).
• Inside Inbound Health shut down.

The year closed with December seeing a relatively lower number of cuts, though notable reductions continued across startups and established tech firms. The cumulative total for 2025 reached 22,890 workers affected by December, with more layoffs expected in early 2026 as companies finalize restructuring plans. The layoff tracker continues to be updated as new reports emerge.

Source: TechCrunch News