US Job Cuts Feb 2–8, 2026: Tech & Media Hit

Published Date: February 9, 2026 Author: Click USA News Economy & Jobs Desk – Tracking American Workforce Trends Category: Business / Economy / Jobs / Layoffs Tracker

Last week (February 2–8, 2026), U.S. companies continued announcing job cuts amid a push for efficiency, AI adoption, and restructuring—building on January’s record-high 108,435 announced layoffs (highest January since 2009, per Challenger, Gray & Christmas). While January’s massive plans (led by Amazon’s 16,000 corporate cuts and UPS’s 30,000 operational reductions) set the tone, last week’s announcements focused on targeted hits in tech, media, telecom, and retail—primarily affecting American workers in corporate roles across key states.

For everyday Americans, these cuts raise alarms about job stability, especially in tech-heavy regions like the Bay Area, Seattle, and New Jersey. Drivers include reducing bureaucracy, redirecting resources to AI/automation, and post-pandemic adjustments. Here’s a breakdown of major U.S.-focused announcements from February 2–8, 2026:

California (Heavy Impact – Bay Area & Beyond)

• Amazon: Eliminated over 700 jobs in the Bay Area (Feb 3 announcement; effective spring 2026). State filings show cuts across 11+ Bay Area sites (e.g., Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto) plus San Francisco—totaling hundreds in tech/software engineering roles. Part of ongoing corporate streamlining to cut layers and boost AI efficiency. American Impact: Hits software engineers and corporate staff hard in California’s tech hubs; many face severance but potential visa/relocation challenges for affected workers.

Washington & Multi-State

• T-Mobile: Laid off 393 employees across 200+ job titles (Feb 2), spanning telecom/network/engineering roles. Impacts felt in Washington state and nationwide. American Impact: Telecom sector squeeze affects mid-level professionals; signals broader industry consolidation.

Washington, D.C. & National Media

• Washington Post: Laid off hundreds (roughly one-third of staff/newsroom + business side, announced Feb 4). Eliminates sports section, reduces foreign bureaus, books coverage, and local/international reporting. American Impact: Shrinks journalism jobs nationwide; affects writers, editors, and support roles—many in D.C. metro area—amid media industry pressures.

Other Notable U.S. Updates Last Week

• Walmart: Cut 100 more corporate jobs in Hoboken, NJ (Feb 4)—logistics/retail support.
• Ongoing ripple effects from earlier plans: Amazon’s broader 16,000 corporate cuts (mostly U.S.), Workday (~2% workforce realignment), and smaller WARN filings.

Sectors Hit Hardest for Americans This Week:

• Tech/IT: Amazon, T-Mobile—AI/automation cited for efficiency gains.
• Media/Journalism: Washington Post—shrinking coverage amid digital shifts.
• Retail/Logistics: Walmart, ongoing UPS/Amazon volume reductions.

Economic Context & Outlook for Americans in 2026: January’s 108,435 cuts (up 118% YoY) marked the worst start since the 2009 recession, with transportation (UPS) and tech leading. Hiring intentions hit record lows, signaling employer caution. Analysts note businesses are “less-than-optimistic” about 2026 growth—prioritizing AI productivity over headcount.

Tips for American Workers:

• Update Your Resume & Network: Use LinkedIn, alumni groups, or industry events—focus on AI, cloud, and in-demand skills.
• Build Emergency Funds: Aim for 6–12 months; review severance if affected.
• Upskill Quickly: Free/low-cost courses in AI/tools via Coursera, Google, or LinkedIn Learning.
• Explore Opportunities: Government resources (e.g., DOL, state unemployment offices) offer retraining; monitor federal/state job boards.
• Stay Informed: Track WARN filings for your state/company.

This roundup draws from public announcements, state WARN filings, Challenger reports, Reuters, ABC News, and major outlets as of February 9, 2026. Layoff news changes rapidly—check official company statements or labor departments for updates.

Stay tuned to Click USA News for daily U.S. jobs alerts, career advice, economic forecasts, and state-specific impacts. Share your story or local experiences in the comments!

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