Here’s How To Lower Your Layoff Risk in 2026
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
A rising number of Americans have been concerned about job security — and with good reason. Labor Department data show that in November, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to a four-year high of 4.6%, CNN reported.
Here’s a deeper look at the current state of the job market and layoffs, as well as some tips to lower layoff risk for those who are concerned about job security in 2026.
Job Market Outlook
Also in November, there were 71,321 job cuts announced by U.S.-based employers, making a 24% increase from the previous year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement and executive coaching firm. Since 2008, job cuts have risen above 70,000 in November only twice — in 2022 and 2008.
Separate research from Nexford University paints a similarly bleak picture of the job market. A Nexford analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data found that there were nearly 14 million layoffs across all U.S. industries between January and August 2025.
Most of the layoffs (nearly 3.5 million) occurred in the professional and business services sector, followed by trade and transportation (about 2.7 million), leisure/hospitality (almost 1.9 million), education and health services (about 1.7 million), and construction (nearly 1.4 million).
As part of its research, Nexford also surveyed 1,000 full-time U.S. workers to explore how professionals and employers are responding to job market disruption, including layoffs, restructuring and the rise of skills driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
One thing the survey revealed is that nearly one-third of Americans (31%) fear being laid off within the next year. But there are ways to lower layoff risk.
Seek New Roles and Opportunities
One of the best things you can do to avoid a layoff is be proactive by seeking new roles and opportunities, either with your current employer or a new one.
Sixteen percent of the Nexford survey respondents said they changed job functions in the prior year, while about 1 in 10 switched industries.
Those who made these transitions “often saw tangible rewards,” Nexford noted. More than one-third (35%) received a promotion within 12 months after a career pivot, while 69% reported higher job satisfaction.
Nexford noted that professionals in real estate, legal services, and construction or trades reported being the most satisfied with their new positions.
Strengthen and Expand Your Skills
Refining your current work skills and learning new ones is a good idea in any type of job market. But it’s especially important when layoffs and job cuts are on the rise.
Here are different ways American workers are improving their skills to help avoid layoffs, per the Nexford survey:
- Expanding soft skills, like communication (30% of survey respondents)
- Developing proficiency in AI (28%)
- Getting a tech or professional certification (22%)
- Building entrepreneurial or freelance experience (12%)
- Earning an advanced degree, like an MBA (9%).
Be Adaptable
As Nexford noted in its report, the most valuable skill you can build in a challenging job market is adaptability. This can include everything from expanding your professional network and earning a new certification to learning how to use AI tools.
You might also need to adjust your own expectations to meet the expectations of your employer.
For example, the Nexford survey found that fully remote employees (45%) are much more likely to fear being laid off than hybrid workers and in-office employees. If you’re a fully remote employee, then you might strengthen your own job security by switching to a hybrid situation or working in the office full time.
More From GOBankingRates
