Resume.org Survey: 6 in 10 Companies Plan To Lay Off Employees in 2026 Amid Economic Uncertainty

Hiring is slowing as companies grapple with economic uncertainty, rising costs, and the growing impact of AI

KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Resume.org, the leading platform for building a resume, has released new findings from a September 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. business leaders revealing that 58% of companies plan to lay off employees in 2026. So far in 2025, 39% have already conducted layoffs, and another 35% say additional cuts will happen before the year ends. Economic uncertainty is the primary driver, cited by 55% of companies planning or conducting layoffs, followed by tariff and trade policy concerns (39%) and AI adoption (35%).

Hiring has also slowed. A total of 9% of companies have implemented hiring freezes, and 41% say they've cut back on hiring. Only 9% have increased hiring this year. Among companies scaling back, 63% blame economic conditions, 38% cite concerns over tariffs or trade policy, 35% point to declining revenue, and 22% say AI is reducing their staffing needs.

Not all employees face equal risk. Nearly half of business leaders (48%) say high-salary workers are most likely to be laid off, followed by those lacking AI-related skills (46%). Recent hires (42%) and entry-level employees (41%) are also at risk. Demographics matter too: 30% say younger employees are more vulnerable, 29% cite older workers, and 19% say H1B visa holders face increased risk.

The role of AI continues to grow. In 2025, 27% of companies significantly increased their investment in AI, and 41% reported a moderate increase. So far, 28% of companies say they have already replaced jobs with AI. By the end of 2026, 37% expect to replace roles with AI, and many are actively restructuring teams to prioritize automation.

"AI adoption is going to reshape the job market faster than most people expect,"  Kara Dennison, head of career advising at Resume.org says. "To future-proof their careers, professionals should be building both digital fluency and human skills that AI can't replicate."

This survey, conducted online via Pollfish in September 2025, included 1,000 U.S. business leaders. Respondents were screened to ensure they held management-level roles and are knowledgeable about employment and staffing plans. To view the full report, visit: https://www.resume.org/6-in-10-companies-plan-to-lay-off-employees-in-2026

SOURCE Resume.org