Job cuts again? Welcome to the grim new era of ‘forever layoffs’

Glassdoor Economic Research has released its Worklife Trends report for 2026. A key theme highlighted throughout is the growing disconnect between workers and their leaders. 

A notable contributing factor is that smaller, regular layoffs—which the report dubs as “forever layoffs”—are becoming more common than less frequent mass layoffs.

Rolling layoffs are among several reasons why many employees feel anxious and less secure in the workplace. Let’s review the report findings. 

‘Forever layoffs’ are becoming the norm

Layoffs are back to pre-pandemic levels. And smaller, more frequent job cuts are now common.

Glassdoor refers to these mini, rolling layoffs as “forever layoffs.”

Glassdoor reviewed Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data from 2015 to August 2025. After a layoff spike in spring 2020 and historically low layoff levels in 2021 and 2022, the number of full-time workers laid off each month has crept back up to pre-pandemic levels: 

• The average number of workers that were laid off or discharged each month from 2015 to 2019 was around 1.8 million. 
• Meanwhile, around 1.7 million workers were laid off or discharged in August 2025. 

Glassdoor also examined Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act layoff notifications (excluding notices for company closings) for further insight. The WARN Act is a federal law that requires most employers with 100 or more workers to provide advance notice before a plant closing or mass layoff. 

• Layoffs affecting fewer than 50 people accounted for 38% of WARN notices in 2015. 
• 51% of layoffs affected fewer than 50 people in 2025.

It’s worth noting, however, that the WARN Act doesn’t require filings for layoffs of fewer than 50 workers. Filings may not give a complete picture of the number of smaller layoffs. 

Glassdoor reviews give insight into how workers feel 

Company layoffs impact employee morale and job satisfaction. Many workers are feeling less secure in their jobs.

“Rolling layoffs may give companies a way to reduce headcount without making headlines, but they create cultures of anxiety, insecurity, and resentment at companies,” the report says.

Glassdoor examined 3.3 million Glassdoor reviews from current employees working remote and hybrid roles. The following related terms have surged in Glassdoor reviews in the last year: 

• Misaligned (149%)
• Miscommunication (25%)
• Hypocrisy (18%)
• Distrust (26%)  

Industries with a noticeable decline in trust in leadership include management and consulting, media and telecommunication, and technology. 

Remote workers feel dissatisfied as confidence in leadership declines

Overall ratings are falling for employees who use the words “remote” or “hybrid” when listing workplace pros. Here are some key findings: 

• Remote employees are seeing fewer career opportunities. The average career opportunity ratings on Glassdoor have fallen from 4.1 in 2020 to 3.5 in 2025. 

• Confidence in senior leadership is weakening. Ratings of senior leadership are now well below pandemic levels. For reviews that mention senior leadership or management, the share of reviews mentioning “disconnect” increased by 24% from 2024 to 2025. 

• Many workers still give high ratings for work-life balance. Work-life balance ratings are still higher for workers who list hybrid or remote work as a pro, but ratings have declined since 2020. 

More workers are feeling more pressure to RTO 

Return-to-office (RTO) mandates have pushed workers back into the office. But that’s not the only reason more employees are likely to return to in-person work in 2026. 

Fewer opportunities for career growth also contribute to job dissatisfaction. Many employers are prioritizing in-person workers for promotions and career opportunities. 

Some remote and hybrid workers may feel pressure to trade in flexibility for more access to career advancement opportunities. 

Workers feeling the need to take whatever job offer comes their way, and AI adoption are other factors that contribute to the disconnect between employees and leaders. 

Average early-career earnings are rising 

Here’s one positive trend highlighted by the report: Early-career workers are on track to surpass pre-pandemic earnings levels in 2026.

Real wage growth was down 4.1% for early-career workers from 2020 to 2022. But earnings started recovering in 2023 and are expected to surpass 2020 levels next year. 

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