Part 2/9:
The survey encompasses the perspectives of 1,000 U.S. business leaders, providing a sobering snapshot of organizational strategies through 2025 and 2026. Key findings include:
Existing Hiring Freezes and Cutbacks: 10% of companies have completely paused hiring, while 41% have scaled back their recruitment efforts.
Upcoming Layoffs: Four in ten organizations have already laid off employees this year, with a third planning additional cuts.
Future Reductions: Over 60% predict layoffs will continue into 2026, indicating prolonged employment instability.
This bleak outlook underscores the pressure businesses face amid fluctuating economic conditions and the advancing presence of artificial intelligence (AI).