Companies are issuing Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices at a steady pace as August approaches, signaling that thousands of employees face job cuts in the coming weeks. As of August 2, 2026, there have been 322 layoff events in 2026, affecting 205,832 workers, according to SkillSyncer.
The WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide written notice at least 60 days in advance of a mass layoff, plant closure, or relocation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This advance notice gives affected workers and their families time to plan for job loss and seek retraining opportunities.
August layoffs are already materializing. Intel has filed a WARN notice for 101 workers with an effective date of August 15, 2026, while Verizon issued notices affecting 90 workers between August 1 and August 5, and another 121 workers with an effective date of August 7, according to New Jersey and California WARN tracking databases. FedEx Supply Chain also filed a notice with an effective layoff date of August 1, 2026, according to Pennsylvania labor records.
California updated its WARN notice requirements in 2026 to require employers to explain in their notices how they will support workers who are laid off, according to the California Employment Development Department. Employers must now state whether they plan to work with local workforce boards or other agencies to help affected employees access retraining, job placement, and other support services.
Despite the ongoing layoffs, the overall trend shows moderation compared to 2025. Layoffs in 2026 are 40% lower than in 2025, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, 2026 remains the second-highest total for layoffs since 2020, indicating that workforce reductions remain a significant feature of the current economic environment.
The layoffs span multiple industries and regions. Companies ranging from technology firms like Intel to telecommunications companies like Verizon and logistics providers like FedEx have all issued WARN notices, reflecting broad-based economic pressures across sectors. The August layoff announcements continue a pattern established earlier in the year, though the pace has slowed from 2025 levels.
