Layoff fears may be particularly prevalent in the tech space. Tech firms ramped up hiring during the pandemic when demand for their products surged. Forced remote work changed the landscape and paved the way to more jobs.

Microsoft employees have faced a series of layoffs over the past year. Microsoft is laying off more than 6,000 employees, around three percent of the company’s entire workforce. These are the biggest job cuts at Microsoft since it laid off 10,000 employees in 2023, and will impact employees across Microsoft’s businesses.

Microsoft will lay off 1,985 employees in Washington state starting July 12, including 475 remote workers, according to a WARN notice. It’s the largest local cut since 2023.