Announced Layoffs Surge 245 Percent in February Amid DOGE-Related Federal Cuts

The Epoch Times Header

Federal workers account for more than one-third of last month’s tally.

Planned job cuts catapulted to their highest levels since the pandemic as U.S.-based employers navigate economic headwinds.

Global recruitment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported Thursday that U.S. employers announced 172,017 layoffs in February, the highest monthly total since July 2020. It was also the largest tally for the month since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago.

This is up 245 percent from January’s 49,795 announced cuts and a 103 percent increase from the 84,638 planned layoffs at the same time a year ago.

In the first two months of 2025, employers have announced nearly 222,000 job cuts, the highest year-to-date count since 2009.

Efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), President Donald Trump’s task force to find efficiencies, eliminate waste, and trim the federal headcount, contributed to a sizable share of the February outcome, said Andrew Challenger, the firm’s senior vice president and workplace expert.

The government led all sectors last month, with Challenger reporting 62,242 job cuts in 17 different agencies, a more than 41,000 percent increase from the 151 planned reductions announced in February 2024.

“It appears the administration wants to cut even more workers, but an order to fire the roughly 200,000 probationary employees was blocked by a federal judge. It remains to be seen how many more workers will lose their federal government roles,” said Challenger in the report.

“When mass layoffs occur, it often leaves remaining staff feeling uneasy and uncertain. The likelihood that many more workers leave voluntarily is high.”

According to the Challenger data, retail and technology led the way in the private sector.

Retailers announced 38,965 job cuts, bringing the year-to-date total to 45,375. This is a 572 percent jump from the first two months of 2024.

Tech companies announced 14,554 job cuts in February. The year-to-date total is slightly more than 22,000, down 22 percent from last year.

“Private companies announced plans to shed thousands of jobs last month, particularly in retail and technology. With the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] actions, as well as canceled government contracts, fear of trade wars, and bankruptcies, job cuts soared in February,” Challenger added.

By Andrew Moran

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Transphobic Spa Nazis Establish ‘Phallus-Free Environment’

“The only winning move is not to play.” It was talking about nuclear war but the same received wisdom applies to modern culture war with the trannies.

The homebound hustle

A workplace is a well-designed and organized entity where co-workers collaborate to be productive, but COVID changed such a time-honored tradition.  

Democrats Now Appear to Be On “Auto Pile It”

Last month I wrote an article trying to help...

Ukrainian Rhapsody – Three Years Later

Trump and Vance confronted the phony political status quo and its shady policies, endless wars, wasteful government spending, useless "professional politicians", and sneaky "diplomacy."

NIH Nukes Cell Phone Cancer Research, Fully Redacts 2,500 Pages After FOIA Request

NIH is reportedly sitting on 2,500 pages of docs explaining why agency ended research program into potential carcinogenic effects of cell phone radiation.

News

H-1B: The Scourge of American College Grads

Federal Agency Oversight: DOL, DOS, DHSDependents: H4 The Basics: The employer-sponsored H-1B visa is reserved...

Missouri Judge Finds CCP Liable for $24 Billion for Hoarding COVID-19 Protective Equipment

Missouri judge found the CCP liable in a multi-billion dollar case over the regime’s hoarding of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Declines to Block Policy That Lets Agents Arrest Illegal Immigrants at Schools

A federal judge on March 7 declined to block a new federal immigration enforcement policy that lets agents enter schools to arrest illegal immigrants.

Ryan Routh’s Attorney Seeks to Test Firearm Involved in Alleged Assassination Attempt Against Trump

Defense for Ryan Routh, suspected of attempted assassination of Trump, would like to test fire gun found at Routh’s location near Trump’s golf course.

US Warns Foreigners of Visa Ban for Backing Terrorist Groups

U.S. State Dept said it reserves the right to revoke or deny visas of any supporters of foreign terrorist organizations, including international students.

Gene Hackman Died of Heart Disease; Wife Died of Hantavirus About 1 Week Prior: Authorities

Authorities said Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of heart failure a week after his wife died of hantavirus, a rare viral infection.

Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Shutting Down Federal Agency

U.S. District Judge entered administrative stay preventing federal govt from shutting down U.S. African Development Foundation until 5 p.m. on March 11.

X Takes Down Network of Chinese Accounts Amplifying NYT Attacks on Shen Yun

Thousands of accounts with suspected links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have been removed by social media platform X over the past month.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central