A new analysis from Zety, a resume templates service, finds that layoffs often came in waves rather than as one-time events.
Drawing on publicly reported data from Layoffs.fyi, Zety’s Repeat Layoff Index tracked U.S.-based tech companies that announced job cuts between 2023 and 2025 and revealed that a significant share returned for additional rounds of layoffs, in many cases within months of their first reduction.
Repeat Layoffs Are Widespread
What began as post-pandemic workforce corrections evolved into recurring layoffs for many companies. From 2023–2025, 1,031 U.S.-based tech companies recorded at least one layoff event. Of those:
- 278 (27%) conducted two or more layoff rounds.
- 74 U.S. companies (7%) conducted three or more layoff rounds.
- Repeat-layoff companies accounted for 722 layoff rounds, representing nearly half (49%) of all layoff events recorded.
“A lot of people think of layoffs as a one-time event, but the data shows they can come in waves,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “For job seekers, the goal isn’t to panic, it’s to stay prepared. Keep your resume and LinkedIn up to date, pay attention to repeat layoff patterns in your industry, and focus on roles that build skills you can carry anywhere.”
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Most Repeat Layoffs Happen Within a Year
For companies that conducted multiple rounds of layoffs between 2023 and 2025, the second cut often followed quickly.
Zety’s analysis found that 70% of repeat layoffs occurred within 12 months of the initial workforce reduction.
In many cases, companies returned even sooner:
- 50% repeated within 9 months
- 34% repeated within 6 months
- 13% repeated within 3 months
Year-Over-Year Repeat Layoff Comparison
Zety’s analysis also shows that the pace and frequency of repeat layoffs changed year to year.
| Year | Total # of U.S. Tech Companies That Conducted Layoffs | % with 2+ Rounds | % with 3+ Rounds | Median Days Between 1st & 2nd Round |
| 2023 | 732 | 14.3% | 1.8% | 276 days (~9.1months) |
| 2024 | 362 | 10.8% | 2.5% | 172 days (~5.6 months) |
| 2025 | 158 | 12% | 5.1% | 257 days (~8.5 months) |
Two notable shifts stand out:
- The share of companies conducting three or more layoff rounds nearly tripled, from 1.8% in 2023 to 5.1% in 2025.
- Companies moved faster in 2024, with the median gap between first and second rounds shrinking by nearly 100 days versus 2023. After speeding up in 2024, the median gap widened again in 2025, suggesting a mix of rapid follow-on cuts and longer restructuring cycles.
For detailed insights on the Repeat Layoff Index, access the full study at zety.com/blog/repeat-layoff-index.
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Tags: economy, employment, job market, jobs, layoffs, Payroll
