The start of the year hasn't been kind to the job market. More layoffs and fewer job openings are making it tough for folks seeking work, according to the Wall St. Journal and Forbes.
Why this matters: For many working-class families, the current job squeeze means even tighter budgets and more uncertainty about the future, especially with companies cutting back and the unknown effects of tech advancements like AI.
By the numbers: In December, job openings dropped to their lowest since 2020.
Job openings fell by 386,000 in December, hitting the lowest level since September 2020.
Companies announced 108,400 job cuts, too, a 118 percent increase over January 2025 and the highest for a January since 2009.
Contract loss represented the biggest reason for cuts, totaling 30,784 jobs. Market and economic conditions (28,392 cuts) and restructuring (20,444) also were significant factors, according to a report by financial consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Amazon says it will lay off 16,000 workers on top of the 14,000 let go last fall. UPS will cut 30,000 jobs, after slashing 48,000 last year.
Bright spot: Some areas like education and health are hiring, offering a bit of hope.
The bottom line: While some economists remain hopeful for a rebound in 2026, current data suggests the labor market's recovery is still far off, with significant challenges ahead for many working folks.
3 Things To Know
Economic enablers of ICE: The "Resist and Unsubscribe" boycott launched and promoted by entrepreneur Scott Galloway targets major tech and consumer companies he identifies as "active enablers of ICE" and "subscription-driven consumer tech companies" with significant influence over the U.S. economy and President Trump: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Uber, Netflix, Paramount+ and more. The campaign, launched in January 2026, urges Americans to unsubscribe from services, delete apps, and avoid spending to apply economic pressure. » No Mercy / No Malice
Blue-Tech movement: The U.S. Department of Labor is giving the skilled trades a major "spring cleaning" to better align with the modern workforce. On Jan. 28, the Labor Department announced it is moving National Apprenticeship Week to April 26–May 2 to sync with graduation and hiring cycles, while simultaneously launching the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund portal. This highlights a growing "Blue-Tech" movement — high-skill, tech-integrated manufacturing roles that offer a sturdier hedge against AI displacement than traditional white-collar career paths. » Apprenticeship USA
Workplace dinosaur jokes: The "What Year Were You Born?" trend on TikTok features Gen Z workers jokingly editing older colleagues into prehistoric dinosaur clips. Rather than sparking tension, the challenge became a wholesome bonding moment as older employees "UNO-reversed" the joke by editing their younger counterparts into baby strollers. It’s a refreshing look at how self-deprecating humor can bridge the generational gap and keep the workplace atmosphere light. » Website Builder Expert
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