As the year 2026 commences, a wave of layoffs is looming over several prominent companies. Industry giants, specifically Amazon, are poised to dismiss thousands of corporate employees across a myriad of divisions, potentially heralding their most substantial job cuts to date.
Ericsson, a key player in telecommunications, is set to reduce its workforce by 1,600 positions in Sweden, all in a bid to maintain competitive viability.
Additionally, FedEx plans to streamline its operations by cutting 500 jobs in France while simultaneously generating new employment opportunities. In tandem, Citigroup and BlackRock have also disclosed plans for significant reductions in their workforce.
Below is a compilation of companies recently announcing impending layoffs:
Amazon
The e-commerce titan Amazon is anticipated to initiate substantial layoffs next week, organizing a comprehensive workforce reduction strategy, as reported by Reuters on January 22, referencing informed sources.
This potential reduction, projected to be the company’s largest to date, is expected to impact white-collar positions across several sectors, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), the People Experience and Technology unit (human resources), Prime Video, and retail operations. However, it is crucial to note that these plans are subject to modification.
Ericsson
Earlier this month, telecommunications manufacturer Ericsson announced its intent to eliminate up to 1,600 jobs within its homeland of Sweden. This strategic decision is designed to bolster the company’s competitive stance, as articulated in a press release.
According to CEO Börje Ekholm, the organization anticipates continued layoffs as part of its overarching cost-efficiency and restructuring initiatives.
“Over the past year, we have already reduced our workforce by 5,000 and foresee further reductions ahead,” Ekholm was quoted by Reuters during a recent post-earnings call.
FedEx
On Friday, FedEx, the US parcel delivery powerhouse, unveiled a strategic revamp of its French domestic operations, including a plan to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions while investing approximately €78 million ($91.58 million).
This consolidation strategy aims to streamline operations by reducing the number of stations from 103 to 86. The objective is to simplify the distribution framework and eradicate superfluous infrastructure throughout the nation.
Despite these job reductions, the reorganization is projected to create over 770 new roles, both full-time and part-time. FedEx has indicated that employees affected by layoffs will receive priority for these new opportunities.
Citigroup
Citigroup, the banking behemoth, is poised to lay off approximately 1,000 employees this month, as CEO Jane Fraser focuses on trimming operational costs to enhance profitability.
This latest wave of layoffs is part of Citigroup’s two-year strategy that aims to eliminate 20,000 jobs by 2026, according to a Bloomberg report citing knowledgeable insiders.
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera of New York recently disclosed a series of layoffs amid ongoing financial struggles, despite implementing various cost-saving measures over the past five years, as reported by The New York Times.
As part of its new cost-cutting approach, the Met plans to reduce salaries for its top earners and postpone a new production slated for the upcoming season.
According to reports, the opera house will downsize its administrative staff by 22 positions, reducing the total from 284 to roughly 262, representing about 10% of the workforce in that division.
BlackRock
BlackRock recently announced significant layoffs, with hundreds set to lose their jobs across the firm, as reported by Bloomberg. Estimates suggest that around 1% of its total workforce, or approximately 250 employees, will be affected.
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