Empire State Review Contributor 
NEW YORK, NY — In June 2025, over 150 American companies across various sectors have announced significant layoffs, reflecting ongoing economic challenges and corporate restructuring efforts. Major firms such as Morgan Stanley, Walmart, Pfizer, and Microsoft are among those implementing job cuts, signaling a period of adjustment in the U.S. labor market.
Financial Sector Adjustments
Morgan Stanley is set to lay off approximately 2,000 employees globally, with 230 positions affected in New York. The layoffs, expected to take effect on June 17, 2025, are part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and adjust staffing levels in response to fluctuating market conditions and policy uncertainties .
Retail Industry Restructuring
Walmart plans to eliminate around 1,500 corporate positions in the U.S. as part of a restructuring initiative aimed at trimming expenses and enhancing decision-making efficiency. The layoffs will impact teams in global technology operations, U.S. e-commerce fulfillment management, and Walmart Connect, the company’s advertising division .
Additionally, the retail sector is experiencing a downturn, with several major chains announcing store closures. Rite Aid is closing 151 more stores in June, bringing its total to 361 closures. Dollar Tree plans to close approximately 1,000 Family Dollar stores, and CVS is set to close 271 locations as part of a broader restructuring strategy .
Technology Sector Layoffs
The technology industry continues to face significant workforce reductions. In the first five months of 2025, over 62,000 employees have been laid off across 284 technology companies. Major tech giants including Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Intel are among those implementing significant job cuts. Microsoft, for instance, has conducted another round of layoffs, cutting over 300 jobs on June 2, 2025, just weeks after announcing a significant workforce reduction of 6,000 positions .
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sector Impact
Pfizer is among the pharmaceutical companies announcing layoffs in June 2025, as part of efforts to streamline operations amid market volatility . The healthcare sector is also experiencing job cuts, with various hospitals and medical centers reducing staff due to financial pressures and shifts in patient care demands.
Federal Workforce Reductions
The federal government has also implemented significant layoffs. More than 275,000 United States federal civil service layoffs have been announced by the second Trump administration. As of May 12, 2025, the New York Times tracked more than 58,000 confirmed cuts, more than 76,000 employee buyouts, and more than 149,000 other planned reductions, totaling 12% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workers .
Economic Outlook
Analysts attribute the widespread layoffs to a combination of factors, including market volatility, technological advancements, and shifts in consumer behavior. Companies are restructuring to adapt to changing economic conditions and to position themselves for future growth. While these layoffs present challenges for affected employees, they also reflect broader trends in the evolving labor market.
