Tech Layoffs October 2026: Who Is Cutting Jobs and Why
Tech layoffs are piling up this October. See which companies are cutting jobs, how many workers are affected, the AI link and what it means for your career.
10/27/20263 min read
Tech Layoffs October 2026: Who Is Cutting Jobs and Why
Published: October 27, 2026
October has brought another wave of tech layoffs. From Netflix and eBay to Barclays and Microsoft, companies around the world are cutting jobs, and many point to AI. Here’s who is cutting, how big the numbers are, and what it may mean for you.
The big picture
Different trackers count differently, so the totals vary. TrueUp’s tracker lists 665 tech layoffs in 2026 so far, affecting 196,349 people, compared with 783 layoffs and 245,953 people in all of 2025. GoLayoffs, which counts more narrowly, has recorded 110 layoffs at 85 companies affecting at least 64,984 workers. TrueUp’s figure includes announced reductions and shouldn’t be read as completed layoffs or as cuts to technical roles only. Treat any single total as an estimate. Layoffs Tracker - All Tech and Startup Layoffs +3
Who is cutting jobs in October
Microsoft: It offered voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 eligible employees, which is a choice and not a layoff. (See our Microsoft buyout guide.)
Barclays: The British bank is cutting 5,000 jobs by the end of 2026, which it links to increased investment in AI. The cuts will mostly affect developer and support roles, and the UK retail banking operation includes a large team based in India. informationweekinformationweek
Netflix: The Wall Street Journal reported about 1,000 layoffs, roughly 6% of its global workforce. yahoo
eBay: It plans to cut about 1,000 jobs, 9% of its workforce, to simplify operations. informationweek
Electronic Arts: 400 jobs, 3% of staff, in a studio restructuring, and the company is closing its BioWare division. informationweek
HubSpot: It announced on October 6 that it would cut 7% of its workforce, roughly 660 employees, as it reorganizes around AI-driven customer outcomes. Fast Company
Amazon: It reportedly laid off fewer than 1,000 white-collar workers in its stores division. Amazon is the biggest cutter of 2026 so far, with 16,000 workers affected in January alone. yahoogolayoffs
Others: Flutter is cutting 1,400 jobs, Nokia plans 253 in Finland, and TomTom about 200. Telia proposed about 900 staff and contractor reductions. workforcesignalagentjesse
Why is this happening?
AI is the most common reason given. Barclays and HubSpot both link their cuts to AI. But the picture isn’t simple. One tracker notes that some companies blame AI for layoffs they would have made anyway, while many cuts are genuinely driven by AI adoption. Jeff Bezos has said Amazon’s continuing layoffs come from over-hiring during the pandemic. Cost-cutting, restructuring and weaker demand are also behind many announcements. skillsyncerFast Company
What it means if you work in tech
This is general information, not career or financial advice. A few sensible steps in an uncertain market:
Keep your skills current. Barclays said it plans to invest £150 million ($102 million) by 2030 in retraining its workforce on AI skills, which shows what employers value.
Update your CV and network now, while you still have a job.
Build a financial cushion if you can, since voluntary buyouts and severance terms vary a lot.
Read any buyout or severance terms carefully before you sign, and consider asking an employment lawyer.
What it means if you’re looking for a tech job
Hiring hasn’t stopped, but competition is tougher. Roles linked to AI, cloud, data and security tend to be in demand, while some support and routine development roles are being squeezed. Layoff numbers are partly headlines, so check the actual jobs data in your own country.
What to watch next
Microsoft’s earnings this week and the number of employees who accept its buyout will show how far the AI efficiency push goes. Other companies may announce more cuts as the year ends, so we’ll update this post when the picture changes.
Tech layoffs are continuing, with AI cited in many of this month’s cuts. The numbers differ by tracker, and some companies’ reasons are more complicated than “AI.” Stay informed and keep your skills sharp.