Imagine opening the holidays with a layoff notice. For nearly a third of workers, that’s now a real possibility. A new national survey says nearly one in three companies plans to cut staff before New Year’s, and the reasons go far beyond budget tightening. In today's Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome breaks down why end-of-year layoffs spike, from Q1 cost-cutting and bonus avoidance to leadership pressure to “reset” headcount before January.

He also confronts a growing ethical dilemma: most companies now say they’ll use AI to identify which roles should be eliminated. With 69% planning to use AI to flag positions and 66% planning to use AI in the layoff process itself, we explore what this means for fairness, transparency, and the future of leadership accountability when algorithms influence people’s livelihoods.

Then Pete turns to a massive new ADP analysis showing the gig economy is actually two different labor markets. W-2 temporary workers and 1099 contractors live very different realities, from pay gaps and hours worked to the industries where each thrives. Pete breaks down contractor rates, specialized skill premiums, and what today’s data means for anyone eyeing freelance work, career pivots, or a diversified client pipeline.

Finally, he examines a major restructuring at one of America’s largest telecom companies, resulting in 13,000+ layoffs affecting non-union management. We look at whether service quality can improve after cuts of this size, what needs protecting on the front lines, and how workers can adapt as legacy employers reshape their operating models under competitive pressure.

💬What do you think: Do you think the gig economy will continue growing, or has it peaked? 

News Articles:
1. 3 in 10 Companies Will Lay Off Employees During the Holidays: https://www.resume.org/3-in-10-companies-will-lay-off-employees-during-the-holidays/
2. Verizon Layoffs: https://apnews.com/article/verizon-layoffs-economy-jobs-1aa299fc28b8e7211188f9b084d1048c
3. The gig economy- A tale of two labor markets: https://www.adpresearch.com/the-gig-economy-a-tale-of-two-labor-markets/

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👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog