What time of year do most people get laid off?

Asked by: Ms. Haylie Collins II  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 5/5 (7 votes)

Layoffs can occur at any time, but as far as when tech layoffs most often occur, January and December are well-known for job losses as employers are reviewing their budgets during that time of year. Here are some ways to find out if your company is preparing for layoffs.

What time of year is most common for layoffs?

When are layoffs most likely to occur? Since 2001, most layoffs happen in January and December and appear least likely to happen in February and March.

What is the most common day to get laid off?

The middle of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—is usually considered the best time for laying off employees. It doesn't seem quite as harsh as doing it on a Monday while still giving employees some time in the week to get started on their job search.

Who typically gets laid off first?

The last employees to be hired become the first people to be let go. This makes sense logically. If they were recently hired, they probably haven't become as strong of organizational assets yet.

What time of year do people hire the most?

The beginning of the year – specifically January and February – and the fall months of September and October, stand out as the prime times for recruitment. Fresh budgets and new goals characterize these times, pushing companies to increase their hiring efforts.

What To Do When You've Been Laid Off From Your Job!

35 related questions found

What is the hardest month to get a job?

June, July, and August: A Summer Vacation from Job Openings

At this point in the year, companies have spent the money they budgeted for hiring and are not looking for new employees. Because of this, recruiters are also not actively looking for new employees during these months.

What is the easiest month to get a job?

January and February: the early bird catches the worm…

The start of the year is one of the peak hiring months. It's a fresh start for companies, and many have new goals and initiatives that require new employees. Employers tend to refocus on recruitment after New Year's Day.

Who is most prone to layoffs?

The workers who feel most at risk include those in product management, quality assurance, marketing, finance and IT roles.

How to tell if a layoff is coming?

11 Signs That Layoffs Are Coming to Your Company
  • Less work. ...
  • Budget reductions. ...
  • New management or leadership changes. ...
  • Reorganization announcements. ...
  • Hiring freeze or reduced hiring plans. ...
  • Earnings reports. ...
  • Debt and cash flow issues. ...
  • Frequent meetingsor sudden communication from leadership.

Do good employees get laid off?

it's very hard to get fired if you are just in the Top 50% and aren't a threat to your boss' bonus. Layoffs in BigCos happen all the time, but in reality, the folks impacted are the ones who are ranked in the bottom 5%-20% of the team.

Which jobs get laid off first?

However, patterns emerging during layoffs earlier this year show that non-essential departments, meaning those that don't contribute to the core functionality of the business, are the ones that often see cuts first.

Why do companies layoff in January?

While no one wants to imagine their employment soon ending, not being prepared is even worse. January 2024 was one of the most extensive months for layoffs in almost 15 years. Companies cited restructuring, closing, market conditions and cost-cutting as the primary reasons for dramatic staffing changes.

Which employees are most likely to be laid off?

While it's not clear what percentage—if any—of those layoffs involved remote workers, recent data found that in 2023, fully remote employees were 35 percent more likely to be laid off than their peers who worked full time in the office or had a hybrid schedule.

What month do most people get laid off?

January is historically the busiest month for job cuts.

What not to do during layoffs?

  • DON'T: Lay the blame on others for the decision.
  • DON'T: Allow the layoff to sound up as if it is for discussion.
  • DON'T: Provide the employee any promises you cannot keep.
  • DON'T: Pressure the employee to sign anything they're not ready to sign.
  • DON'T: Lay off employees the week before a holiday break if avoidable.

How do companies decide who to layoff?

Some ways to help the decision-making process include: Letting go of your most recent hires. Looking over your past employee assessments and employee reviews. Ranking employees and identifying which are the most valuable based on their skills, productivity, and past-accomplishments.

What time of year do most layoffs happen?

Layoffs can occur at any time, but as far as when tech layoffs most often occur, January and December are well-known for job losses as employers are reviewing their budgets during that time of year. Here are some ways to find out if your company is preparing for layoffs.

Who gets laid off first in a recession?

Particularly hard hit by the downturns of the last three decades was the manufacturing sector, which accounted for 90 percent of all job losses. These employment re- ductions were concentrated largely in the durable goods industries and almost exclusively among production workers.

Can I ask my boss if layoffs are coming?

Ask if leadership is discussing layoffs as a potential option. If you notice hesitancy or a lack of clarity in their answer, then it may be time to look for other jobs.

What jobs are not recession proof?

Some industries feel the impact of an economic downturn more than others. These industries tend to get hit the hardest. Hospitality and tourism - Many cut down on vacations and travel to save money. Entertainment and leisure - People tend to seek inexpensive, at-home forms of entertainment during a recession.

What are the odds of getting laid off?

By one estimate, 40% of American workers get laid off at least once in their careers. And when that happens, there is this thing that companies often say. It's not personal, nothing to do with you or your performance. We're just changing priorities, making a strategic shift.

What industry is safe from layoffs?

These include the medical industry, the legal industry, and essential services, like grocery stores. If you're looking for greater stability in your career, considering industries and professions that tend to remain in demand across economic conditions can be a good idea.

At what age is it hard to get a job?

One 2020 study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that workers over age 40 are only about half as likely to get a job offer as younger workers if employers know their age. But as Frear's experience suggests, it is possible to land an exciting new job in your 50s or later.

What is the hardest time of year to get hired?

The summer and holiday season, starting around Thanksgiving, are the most difficult to interview since most companies slow down during those periods. Most people take their vacations and paid time off in July and August. The turnstile of workers coming and going away makes it hard to interview.

What month do most people leave their jobs?

August, September and October account for over a third of all the year's resignations. Employees are least likely to resign in February.