New Jersey is experiencing one of its most significant waves of layoffs in recent years. According to official WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) filings, the state recorded more than 9,200 announced job cuts from January through July 2026 — including nearly 4,700 layoffs in just the first three months of the year, an 83% increase compared with the same period last year.
Who Is Cutting Jobs?
The list of affected companies includes some of the state’s largest employers:
- Amazon — more than 800 workers affected across multiple counties, including Bergen, Passaic, Monmouth, and Hudson
- Bristol Myers Squibb (Lawrence Township) — 247 workers
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Newark) — 242 workers
- Macy’s and Saks — nearly 300 combined layoffs linked to store closures
- Ernst & Young — 130 positions in Hudson and Middlesex counties
- Merck, Novartis, JPMorgan Chase, Valley National Bank, Claire’s, and Mark Anthony Brewing — additional hundreds of positions affected throughout the year
Why Is This Happening?
Experts point to a combination of factors:
- Retail restructuring — physical stores continue to close as companies adjust their business models
- Adoption of artificial intelligence — some companies, including Verizon and Merck, have cited AI, automation, and shifting research priorities as part of broader workforce changes
- Supply chain changes — especially affecting logistics operations in areas such as Robbinsville and Newark, partly connected to restructuring efforts at Amazon
Numbers Raising Concerns
New Jersey’s unemployment rate currently stands at around 5.4%, about one full percentage point higher than the national average of 4.4%.
Analysts say the increase is driven by several factors, including corporate restructuring, changes in retail, the growing use of artificial intelligence in some industries, and adjustments in supply chains.
An analysis of WARN data shows that four sectors — manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and transportation — account for about 60% of layoffs in the state in recent years, with manufacturing among the hardest-hit industries.
Is There Hope?
Despite the troubling numbers, labor market analysts note that New Jersey still has thousands of open positions. The demand for workers has shifted toward technical skills and essential services.
“The 2026 job market is not closed — it is simply becoming more concentrated,” analysts from Jersey Hired, a platform that tracks employment trends in New Jersey, have noted.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you work in an affected sector — including retail, pharmaceuticals, logistics, or manufacturing — it is important to monitor WARN notices from your employer.
Under federal and state requirements, companies must generally provide at least 60 days’ advance notice before large-scale layoffs, giving workers time to prepare, explore new opportunities, and seek available support programs.
Sources: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Jersey Hired, WARN Tracker