Youth Job Fears: Mass Layoffs From Tech Through To Airlines

The Shifting Sands of Employment

What's driving these workforce reductions? Well, it's a mixed bag of reasons, but a big one appears to be technological change. A survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlighted that a staggering 41% of businesses globally anticipate cutting staff over the next five years, largely due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Companies like Oracle, CNN, Dropbox, and Block have already linked their recent layoffs to AI's growing influence. Even Amazon, a massive player, cited rapid technological advancements and its expanded use of generative AI and 'agents' when announcing around 14,000 corporate job cuts in October.

Interestingly, while some jobs are disappearing, the WEF also predicts a boom in tech roles, particularly in big data, fintech, and AI, which are expected to double by 2030. It's a clear indication of a significant shift rather than a complete halt in hiring.

Let's take a closer look at some of the companies making headlines for their workforce adjustments in 2025.

Company Cuts: A Snapshot

Here's an alphabetical rundown of some of the prominent companies implementing job cuts this year:

Adidas

Despite a pretty strong year, Adidas revealed in January that it's looking to trim up to 500 jobs at its German headquarters. This could mean a reduction of nearly 9% of staff there. The company stated that its current operating model had become "too complex" and they needed to streamline things for long-term success. They insisted it wasn't purely a cost-cutting exercise, but rather about aligning their structure with how they actually work.

Ally

The digital financial services firm, Ally, is letting go of about 500 employees, which is less than 5% of its total workforce. A spokesperson explained that they're "right-sizing" the company, making difficult decisions in some areas while still hiring in others. They're offering support like severance packages and outplacement services to those affected.

Amazon

Amazon is making one of its largest-ever corporate layoffs, planning to cut 14,000 roles. CEO Andy Jassy reportedly wants the company to operate more like "the world's largest startup." Rapid AI advancements are changing how Amazon functions, prompting a move towards a leaner structure with fewer management layers. This follows several years of cost-cutting since the pandemic. You can read more about how Amazon's robot revolution might affect the workforce in Southeast Asia in our article: Up to 30,000 Amazon Jobs At Risk From AI Takeover.

American Airlines

In November, American Airlines announced it's reducing management and support staff. This is all about optimising performance and boosting efficiency, particularly affecting roles at their Fort Worth, Texas headquarters. They're still keen to invest in areas that support long-term business objectives, but these targeted cuts are about getting the right fit for the work they do today.

Applied Materials

Semiconductor giant Applied Materials is cutting 4% of its global workforce, which works out to about 1,444 employees. They expect to incur charges of around $160 million to $180 million for severance and benefits. The company believes these cuts will help them become a "more competitive and productive organisation" for future growth.

Automattic

The company behind Tumblr and WordPress, Automattic, is cutting 16% of its global staff. CEO Matt Mullenweg noted that while revenue is growing, the tech market is fiercely competitive and constantly evolving. The restructuring aims to improve "productivity, profitability, and capacity to invest."

Best Buy

Best Buy is making further reductions to its Geek Squad teams, specifically in customer care and in-home field services. This follows previous layoffs in the Geek Squad division last year, as the company seeks to enhance efficiency and channel investment into newer business areas.

BlackRock

The investment management giant BlackRock is planning to cut around 200 jobs from its 21,000-strong workforce. This is part of an effort to realign resources with their strategy, but it's worth noting they added 3,750 workers last year and expect to add another 2,000 in 2025, so it's more of a strategic shuffle.

Block

Jack Dorsey's fintech company, Block, is letting go of nearly 1,000 employees. This is their second major workforce reduction in just over a year. About 200 managers are moving into non-management roles, and almost 800 open positions are being closed. Dorsey emphasised that this is about streamlining operations, not financial targets or AI replacements.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg is reorganising its newsroom, which involves some editorial staff cuts, although the overall headcount is expected to increase by the end of the year. The strategy is to merge smaller teams into larger units to enhance efficiency.

Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos's rocket company, Blue Origin, is trimming about 10% of its workforce, potentially impacting over 1,000 employees. CEO David Limp stated the priority is to "scale our manufacturing output and launch cadence with speed, decisiveness and efficiency." He mentioned that rapid growth led to more bureaucracy, and the restructuring aims to better align roles with their core priorities.

Boeing

Boeing announced it's cutting 400 roles from its moon rocket programme. This comes amid delays and rising costs for NASA's Artemis missions. They're looking to redeploy employees where possible to minimise job losses, but affected staff will receive 60-day layoff notices.

BP

The oil giant BP is cutting around 4,700 staff and 3,000 contractor positions, equating to about 5% of its global workforce. This is part of a plan to "simplify and focus" the company, aiming to strengthen competitiveness and improve performance by lowering costs.

Bridgewater

Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds, cut 7% of its staff in January. This move aims to keep the company lean, bringing its headcount back to 2023 levels. Founder Ray Dalio has previously noted a high turnover rate for new employees.

Bumble

Dating app company Bumble is planning to cut 240 roles, roughly 30% of its workforce. A spokesperson stated this was a difficult decision made to align the team structure with strategic priorities, resulting in charges of £13 million to £18 million.

Burberry

Luxury brand Burberry announced 1,700 job cuts, about 18% of its global workforce. This is part of a plan to save around £100 million by 2027. The company saw an operating loss this year, and plans to end night shifts at its Yorkshire raincoat factory due to over-capacity.

Carter's

Children's retailer Carter's is cutting about 300 office-based roles, or 15% of those positions, by the end of 2025. This, coupled with plans to close 150 stores, aims to streamline operations and improve product choices.

Chegg

Online education company Chegg is undertaking a massive reduction, cutting its workforce by about 45%. This means "388 roles globally" are being eliminated. The company cites "the new realities of AI and reduced traffic from Google" as reasons for a significant decline in traffic and revenue. This is the fourth time Chegg has announced layoffs recently. The impact of AI on various industries, including education, is a recurring theme, as explored in articles like AI & Call Centres: Is The End Nigh?. For a broader understanding of how AI is shifting job markets, consider reading about the AI Wave Shifts to Global South.

Chevron

Oil giant Chevron plans to reduce its global workforce by 15% to 20% by the end of 2026, potentially cutting up to 9,000 jobs. This is aimed at cutting costs and simplifying the business, particularly as it works through the acquisition of Hess.

CNN

Cable news network CNN is cutting around 200 television-focused roles, about 6% of its workforce. CEO Mark Thompson's goal is to "shift CNN's gravity towards the platforms and products where the audience themselves are shifting" to secure the company's future. For more insights into how AI is transforming media, check out this report on AI in journalism.

ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips, the third-largest oil producer in the US, plans to cut 20-25% of its global workforce, which could mean up to 2,950 jobs. This broad restructuring follows similar moves by other oil giants amid falling oil prices.

Coty

Coty, a major beauty company with brands like Kylie Cosmetics and Calv