Layoffs 2026: 108,000 Cuts in January Alone, AI Drives 16% of All 2026 Layoffs — Your WARN Act Rights and Survival Playbook

Challenger January 2026: 108,435 announced US job cuts (+118% YoY) — highest January since 2009. April 2026: 83,387 cuts with AI cited as #1 reason for second straight month (16% of all 2026 layoffs, up from 13%). BLS: 4.3% unemployment, 6.9M openings. California SB 617 effective Jan 1 2026 expanded Cal-WARN Act with new disclosure requirements. Ohio Mini-WARN Act effective Sept 29 2025. The verified data + Federal/State WARN Act rights + severance negotiation framework + 5-step If Your Number Comes Up Playbook.