23% of Workers Worried They’ll Be Laid Off In 2026 – iHire Survey

The latest employment data suggests job cuts hit 1.2 million in 2025 – the highest level since 2020 when the pandemic led to over 2.3 million cuts. Will this trend continue in 2026, as AI implementation, economic uncertainty, and “COVID overhiring” corrections impact staffing needs across industries?

For many workers, the possibility of being laid off in the coming months is top of mind. When iHire polled 589 candidates from 57 industries in January and February of 2026, 23% expressed some level of anxiety that they would lose their job in 2026, with 15% saying they were “concerned” or “very concerned” they’d be laid off.

However, 36% were “not at all concerned” that they will be laid off this year, suggesting a solid portion the workforce is confident in their job security. At the same time, 15% of survey respondents said they had been recently laid off.

8 User-Submitted Layoff Horror Stories

There is a right way for employers to handle layoffs, but unfortunately, not every company does so with professionalism and compassion. This can make an already difficult process even more devasting for affected employees.

To give our candidate users a chance to weigh in on this challenging topic – and show you that you’re not alone if you, too, are experiencing a layoff – we asked survey participants an optional and anonymous open-ended question: Have you or someone you know ever been laid off from a job in a unique or unusual way? What happened?

Here are eight of their most interesting layoff stories:

1.  “A retail manager who had been with a company for five years was fired because of a ‘bad performance review’ from a secret shopper. The unusual part? The secret shopper was the owner’s brother. He had intentionally acted difficult to ‘test’ the manager’s patience. When the manager remained firm on a store policy, the owner decided they weren’t ‘customer-centric’ enough and let them go via a handwritten note left in the cash register.”

2.  “[My company] conducted mass layoffs that were communicated through a highly impersonal email sent at approximately 2:30 a.m., beginning with ‘dear employee.’ Employees were given no advance notice, and no one knew who had been laid off until the very last moment. The result was immediate chaos – confusion, grief, fear, and anger unfolding all at once.”

3.  “One of my friends got laid of recently. He was hired as a systems engineer. On the first day of work, his manager assigned the regular amount of company work, and he couldn’t keep the pace. A month later he got laid off. “

4.  “Someone I know was laid off the same day they returned from approved leave. They had been receiving positive feedback, but during their absence, the company restructured and eliminated the role without prior notice.”

5.  “I got fired for witnessing an altercation between two other people. I reported the incident and for some reason, I was fired for it.”

6.  “Someone I worked with was laid off during a company-wide restructuring that was communicated through an automated calendar invite labeled as a ‘brief check-in.’ During the meeting, HR informed several employees simultaneously that their roles were being eliminated effective immediately. While the delivery felt impersonal, it highlighted how important transparent communication is during organizational change. The experience reinforced for me the value of empathy, clarity, and proactive communication – especially in leadership and team environments.”

7.  “Laid off because of ‘restructuring.’ I found out company was moving operations to China.”

8.  “A friend of mine found out they were laid off because their company accidentally removed their access to Slack and email mid-sentence while they were actively working. No meeting, no warning. They thought it was a system glitch, restarted their computer, tried logging in again… nothing. About an hour later, a generic HR email finally came through to their personal email saying their role had been ‘eliminated effective immediately.’ No explanation for the timing, no apology for locking them out without a word.”

How to Handle a Lay Off

No matter how you lose your job or learn you’ve been laid off, it’s never easy. If you find yourself in this situation, take a deep breath. While the uncertainty is stressful, having a plan can help you regain control. Follow these steps to navigate the transition and set yourself up for your next great career opportunity as you bounce back from a layoff.

2.  Know Your Rights and Seek Support
Familiarize yourself with your rights as an employee, especially if you believe you were let go unfairly or without proper cause (like some of the candidates who submitted layoff horror stories). Research your state’s employment laws and review your employer’s policies on termination. If you suspect wrongful termination or discrimination, consult a legal expert or employment attorney for guidance. Understanding your options can help protect your interests and give you peace of mind as you move forward.

3.  Understand Your Finances and Benefits
Review your severance package carefully before signing anything. If you are unsure about the terms, consider consulting a legal professional. File for unemployment benefits immediately, as claims often take time to process. Additionally, check your health insurance status and explore options like COBRA to ensure you don't have gaps in coverage.

4.  Update Your Career Toolkit
Dust off your resume and cover letter. Do they reflect your most recent achievements and skills? Make sure your iHire profile and LinkedIn page are current and optimized for the roles you want. If you haven’t interviewed in a while, brush up on common interview questions and practice your answers to build confidence.

5.  Activate Your Network
Don’t be afraid to let people know you are looking for work. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and friends. Many job openings are filled through referrals, so your connections are one of your most valuable assets. A simple message explaining your situation and what you are looking for can open doors you didn’t know existed.

6.  Explore New Opportunities
Use this time to reflect on what you really want. Are you looking for a similar role, or is it time for a career pivot? Consider taking online courses to learn new skills or earn certifications that make you more marketable. This is your chance to align your next move with your long-term career goals.

More Layoff Advice & Career Tips

Get more advice for navigating a layoff and launching your next career opportunity by browsing our Job Seeker Resource Center. When you’re ready to  search for a new job, there’s no better place to begin than iHire – create your free account or sign in to set up job alert emails, build and perfect your resume and cover letter, and much more.