It has been a significant week for news regarding workforce adjustments in large U.S. corporations, with several announcements and reports of layoffs across various sectors. Here are 15 news stories and notable layoff reports published the week of May 18 - May 24, 2025:
- Walmart: Newsweek reported on May 22, 2025, that Walmart is planning to eliminate nearly 1,500 jobs. These cuts are part of a restructuring effort impacting its global tech, U.S. e-commerce, and advertising divisions.
- Walmart: Fingerlakes1.com also reported on May 22, 2025, on the Walmart layoffs, noting the company is cutting 1,500 jobs with a focus on adapting to AI and automation.
- Walmart: The Times of India, in a report accessible around May 22-23, 2025, detailed that Walmart's corporate staff reductions are hitting its Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters and other offices, primarily affecting the global technology team and some advertising roles as part of a cost-cutting and efficiency drive.
- Microsoft: ET Now reported on May 23, 2025, that Microsoft has undertaken one of the year's largest job cuts, firing 6,000 employees. The move is aimed at streamlining leadership and prioritizing engineering roles.
- Google: Also highlighted by ET Now on May 23, 2025, Google laid off 200 employees from its Global Business Organization in May. This is part of ongoing workforce adjustments as the company shifts focus, including increased investment in AI-powered solutions.
- CrowdStrike: Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike announced layoffs impacting 5% of its global workforce, as reported by ET Now on May 23, 2025. The company aims to enhance long-term profitability amidst market volatility.
- Tech Industry Overview (Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike): The Times of India published a broader story on May 23, 2025, discussing the trend of tech layoffs in 2025, citing over 61,000 job cuts. This article specifically detailed the recent workforce reductions at Microsoft, Google, and CrowdStrike as companies reshape their operations driven by AI adoption and economic uncertainty.
- Stellantis: R&D Magazine reported on May 18, 2025, that automotive giant Stellantis is furloughing 900 workers and idling five U.S. plants. This action is attributed to the impact of new U.S. import duties on vehicles and components.
- Eikon Therapeutics: Fierce Biotech reported on May 21, 2025, that California-based Eikon Therapeutics, a life sciences company, has let go of 15% of its staff, amounting to 26 employees, as part of a restructuring.
- Schrödinger: According to a Fierce Biotech report on May 21, 2025, Schrödinger, a company specializing in computational dr-g discovery software, laid off 60 employees.
- Carle Health: Becker's Payer Issues reported on May 19, 2025, that Illinois-based Carle Health will lay off 612 employees within its insurance division by July 8. This follows an earlier announcement that its Health Alliance and FirstCarolinaCare subsidiaries would discontinue most insurance plans after 2025.
- Providence Health Plan: On May 19, 2025, Becker's Payer Issues noted that Providence Health Plan laid off approximately 4% of its workforce in May, citing "strong financial headwinds and challenges."
- Blue Shield of California: Becker's Payer Issues also reported on May 19, 2025, that Blue Shield of California laid off 113 employees across the state in May. These layoffs were revealed through WARN Act filings.
- Cigna's Evernorth: According to a May 19, 2025 report from Becker's Payer Issues, Cigna's health services division, Evernorth, is laying off 62 employees in Morris Plains, New Jersey, with the changes effective by July 3.
- UCare: Minnesota-based health plan UCare is trimming about 5% of its staff, which equates to roughly 80 positions. This news was reported by Becker's Payer Issues as a current event on May 19, 2025.