out early ahead of the release

FOR RELEASE AT 7:30 A.M. ET, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026 JOB CUTS FALL TO LOWEST LEVEL IN 17 MONTHS; HIGHEST DECEMBER HIRING SINCE 2022 YTD JOB CUTS 7th HIGHEST SINCE 1989 CHICAGO, January 8, 2026 – U.S.-based employers announced 35,553 job cuts in December, down 50% from the 71,321 job cuts announced in November. It is down 8% from the 38,792 job cuts announced in the same month last year, according to a report released Thursday from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. December’s total is the lowest monthly total since 25,885 cuts were announced in July 2024. It is the lowest December total since 2023, when 34,817 cuts were announced. It is the fourth time this year job cuts were lower than the corresponding month one year earlier. “The year closed with the fewest announced layoff plans all year. While December is typically slow, this coupled with higher hiring plans, is a positive sign after a year of high job cutting plans,” said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas.