Story perspectives

US Private Sector Cuts 32,000 Jobs Amid Economic Shift

12/4/2025

Center

Employers Cut Jobs

Private employers in the United States cut 32,000 jobs in November, according to Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).
Small businesses shed 120,000 positions, contrasting with economists’ expectation of a 40,000-job gain.
The professional and business services sector shed 26,000 jobs.
Larger firms added 90,000 jobs.
The Federal Reserve will meet December 9–10, with a possible quarter-point rate cut.

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Employers Announce Layoffs

U.S. employers announced 1.1 million layoffs in 2025, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic, including 71,321 cuts in November 2025.
Layoffs represent a 54% year-over-year increase, with telecommunications leading after Verizon announced 13,000 job losses.
Hiring plans dropped 35% from 2024 to 497,151 planned hires, the lowest since 2010.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) reported a 32,000-job loss in November, intensifying concerns ahead of the Federal Reserve's December meeting.

History

Historical Context

The Great Recession, which began in December 2007 and peaked in October 2009 with a 10% unemployment rate, resulted in the loss of 8.7 million jobs by 2010. The economic instability from this period is echoed in the recent layoffs of 32,000 jobs in November 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in the U.S. labor market and prompting the Federal Reserve to consider policy adjustments.

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Employers Cut Jobs

Private employers in the United States cut 32,000 jobs in November, according to Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).
Small businesses shed 120,000 positions, contrasting with economists’ expectation of a 40,000-job gain.
The professional and business services sector shed 26,000 jobs.
Larger firms added 90,000 jobs.
The Federal Reserve will meet December 9–10, with a possible quarter-point rate cut.

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