📉 The January "Job Shock": What’s Really Happening?
If the news feels heavy today, you aren’t alone. U.S. employers just announced 108,435 job cuts in January—the highest for that month since the peak of the 2009 Global Recession. $ALLO
We’re seeing a 118% spike in layoffs compared to last year. But before we hit the panic button, let's look at what is actually driving these numbers. $KITE
🔍 3 Things You Need to Know:
The Big Players: Nearly half of these cuts came from just two companies (UPS and Amazon). This isn't a "broad-market" collapse yet; it’s a massive restructuring by industry giants.
The AI Pivot: Companies aren't just cutting costs; they are reallocating. Many of these layoffs are linked to increased investment in AI and automation to "future-proof" operations.
A Hiring Freeze: The most jarring stat isn’t the layoffs—it’s the hiring. New hiring plans hit a record low this January, meaning the "musical chairs" of the job market has slowed to a crawl.
💡 The Bottom Line
We are witnessing a Great Re-alignment. The market is shifting from "growth at all costs" to "efficiency through technology." It’s a painful transition for the 100k+ people affected, but the economy is still adding a small number of net new jobs. $ACA
The takeaway? Now is the time to audit your skillset. The roles being cut are manual and repetitive; the roles being created are strategic and tech-adjacent.
