Two months into 2026, WARN Act filings paint a detailed picture of America's labor market. With 1,318 notices affecting 119,257 workers through mid-February, the data reveals which industries, states, and companies are driving layoffs — and what that means for the economy.
How 2026 Compares to Previous Years
To understand where 2026 is headed, it helps to look at the trajectory of recent years:
| Year | Total Notices | Workers Affected | Avg Workers/Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (COVID) | 29,392 | 3,961,109 | 135 |
| 2021 | 2,805 | 241,637 | 86 |
| 2022 | 4,283 | 440,124 | 103 |
| 2023 | 8,201 | 869,745 | 106 |
| 2024 | 7,747 | 760,048 | 98 |
| 2025 | 8,756 | 804,167 | 92 |
| 2026 (YTD) | 1,318 | 119,257 | 90 |
If the current pace continues, 2026 would project to roughly 7,900 notices affecting ~715,000 workers — a slight decline from 2025 but still well above pre-pandemic levels. The post-COVID restructuring cycle that peaked in 2023 appears to be gradually normalizing.
Monthly Trend: Recent Patterns
Looking at the last 12 months of data reveals seasonal patterns and recent shifts:
| Month | Notices | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | 665 | 78,955 |
| Apr 2025 | 806 | 87,278 |
| May 2025 | 718 | 104,923 |
| Jun 2025 | 716 | 77,596 |
| Jul 2025 | 838 | 67,803 |
| Aug 2025 | 657 | 43,087 |
| Sep 2025 | 691 | 55,255 |
| Oct 2025 | 1,126 | 85,266 |
| Nov 2025 | 706 | 80,001 |
| Dec 2025 | 575 | 38,630 |
| Jan 2026 | 950 | 82,732 |
| Feb 2026 (partial) | 308 | 26,861 |
The October 2025 spike (1,126 notices) stands out, driven by year-end restructuring announcements. January 2026 saw a strong start with 950 notices — typical of post-holiday layoff announcements as companies execute cost-cutting plans set during Q4 planning.
Top Companies Filing in Recent Months
The companies with the most WARN filings historically reveal patterns of ongoing restructuring across major employers:
| Company | Total Notices | Workers Affected | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing | 1,233 | 73,869 | 18 |
| Walmart | 408 | 67,176 | 40 |
| Sodexo | 570 | 63,379 | 41 |
| Amazon | 360 | 46,872 | 19 |
| Kmart | 644 | 48,181 | 36 |
| Macy's | 368 | 37,139 | 30 |
| Wells Fargo | 575 | 34,638 | 28 |
Boeing's dominant position reflects years of production issues, union disputes, and defense contract adjustments. The retail sector (Walmart, Kmart, Macy's) shows the ongoing transformation of brick-and-mortar commerce. Amazon's presence highlights that even tech giants are not immune to workforce optimization.
What to Watch for in 2026
Based on current filing patterns and economic conditions, several trends bear watching:
- Federal workforce reductions — government restructuring could generate significant WARN filings in Q1-Q2 2026
- AI-driven restructuring — companies adopting AI tools may file WARN notices as they automate roles
- Interest rate effects — rate-sensitive industries (real estate, construction, finance) may see continued pressure
- Election year uncertainty — companies sometimes delay or accelerate restructuring around elections
Track It in Real Time
Don't wait for monthly reports to see what's happening. WARN Firehose updates daily with new filings from all 50 states. You can:
- Browse the dashboard for interactive charts and filterable data
- Explore by state and city for local trends
- Use the API to build custom monitoring and alerts
- Read our reports for monthly and weekly analysis
Stay ahead of layoff trends
Subscribe to our weekly reports or set up API webhooks for real-time alerts on new filings.