The Workplace Roundup: October 2025

We're in a job-market data blackout, mass lay-offs are accelerating, and small businesses continue stabilizing the US workforce.

US Workforce Trends 💼

Moving in the dark during data blackout.

As we know, the US federal government has been shutdown since October 1. This shutdown comes at a convenient time for them, as people (me) would be watching the market and labor numbers closely. Because of the shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hasn’t been releasing their typical data, like unemployment claims, the jobs report, and other key data employers and consumers rely on.

Historically, it takes about 6 months for a nation to feel the impact of increased tariffs. Well, April was 6 months ago, so we should start seeing the impacts of them. But we can’t.

Last week, the only data the BLS released was the CPI report for September: 3%. This was lower than expected, which of course, is why they released it. Good News!! Look over here! We’re doing great!

The worry is that if negative data is released, it could shake up confidence in the economy, turning things worse. I imagine [hope] they’re coming up with a game plan on how to move forward once data is actualized and released. But, they’ve already announced that they won’t be releasing the October CPI data in November… 🚩

Beyond this CPI report, we don’t know what else is going on, and I’m skeptical to the motives behind the data releases - particularly what they’re not releasing. The feds already took this opportunity [lack of data] to make a decision on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for SSN and other beneficiaries for 2026, announcing a 2.9% increase.

Even without the data for proof, people are feeling the impacts of the market. The Consumer Sentiment report from the University of Michigan showed a 2.7% decrease in consumer confidence in financial institutions from September to October, and a change of -24% from October 2024 to October 2025. 📉

The Federal Reserve is meeting this Wednesday, October 29 (happy birthday mom!), to discuss the next interest rate cut, and economists are predicting another .25% cut to bring the interest rate down to 3.75-4.00%. As the government continues to move in the dark without public data or transparency, I anticipate consumer sentiments to continue going down.

Small businesses lead the way in workforce stability.

When job turnover (number of people who leave an organization, whether voluntarily or involuntarily) is high, this will typically indicate a stronger job market, with people leaving jobs for more profitable opportunities, ideally. We saw a lot of turnover in 2022, aka the Great Resignation, with many people voluntarily changing employers. When turnover is low, like it is right now despite mass layoffs, it could still indicate a stable job market, but more likely it is indicative of workers hesitating to switch jobs because of instability. ADP Research is calling this the Big Stay.

Small businesses (fewer than 50 people on payroll) are currently experiencing lower rates of turnover (4.9%) than larger employers (5.7-6.1%). This is significant because small businesses account for nearly 44% of US employment. During these tumultuous times, small businesses are providing stability and tenure to 44% of the workforce. While we can’t control the job market, we can continue to support small business that employ our local workforces and maintain valuable jobs.

As we head into the holiday season, I want to encourage everyone to shop more locally. Supporting local businesses is the best way to invest back into your community and the trickle down will be more impactful than that from any big corporation. If you haven’t heard, the day after Black Friday is Small Business Saturday! This is the perfect opportunity to support your local economy and invest back into your community.

Tip: If you’re currently job hunting, I recommend looking into smaller businesses near you. They can’t always promote open positions as easily as the big guys, so it requires digging and local outreach. Or check with your local Chamber of Commerce!

Layoffs, layoffs, layoffs…

Layoffs are still going on, and they’re speeding up.

• UPS - eliminated 34,000 operational jobs so far this year, while earning huge corporate profits, and is expecting to cut costs by $2.2 billion.

• Amazon - eliminating up to 30,000 corporate jobs, 10% of corporate employees.

• Intel - laying off 24,000 employees, expecting to save $17 billion in costs this year.

• Accenture - cut 22,000 jobs this year for AI-led restructuring.

• Meta - Cutting 600 roles from the company’s AI unit.

• Microsoft - will cut nearly 6,000 jobs across divisions.

• Salesforce - cut 4,000 customer support jobs in AI restructuring.

• PwC - reduced head count by 5,600 employees, while revenue has grown 2.9%.

• Paramount - announced new layoffs, around 2,000 jobs in US.

While every job market faces challenges when adopting new technology, these layoffs are coming at a time when the US is already experiencing major jobs shortages.

Global Scope 🌍

What to know about the H-1B Visa changes.

The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa allowing US employers to employ foreign workers in “specialty occupations” - typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, capping at 85,000 new visas annually. The main industries these visa holders occupy are IT/computer/tech, architecture and engineering, business and finance, and smaller numbers within healthcare, education, and science.

On September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a presidential proclamation imposing a supplemental $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions filed by US employers for workers outside the United States, effective September 21. The fee does not apply to current H-1B holders re-entering the country under existing visas.

This measure would increase costs for companies hiring international talent and could significantly affect technology and consulting firms. The administration stated the goal was to discourage the use of lower-paid H-1B positions (a long-standing criticism of the program) and to encourage the hiring of American workers. These reforms also signal a shift toward prioritizing higher-wage, higher-skill H-1B applicants, potentially discouraging outsourcing of lower-paid roles.

With a weak job market, these changes could boost employment for American workers and open roles that might have otherwise been filled by H-1B visa holders. Others argue they could make it harder to fill specialized positions that depend on foreign-born talent, such as doctors and teachers. Critics worry the US may deter top global talent, while protectionists believe these safeguards will strengthen and grow the nation’s specialized workforce.

If implemented with stronger workforce development efforts in affected industries, I think these changes could help build a more resilient domestic talent pool and expand opportunities for those already invested in their US education and careers. If implemented in isolation, they could risk pushing companies to outsource entire functions abroad, bypassing the visa program altogether. Many of these measures face legal challenges, and time will tell which reforms ultimately take hold.

Work Wins, Woes, & Whoas

Work Wins 🏆

The growth in AI isn’t only driving up demand for workers with tech backgrounds. With the growth of AI comes the need to develop the electrical grid and invest in energy (especially renewables) and other supporting industries.

Many of the fastest growing jobs are within the energy sector, with many of them not requiring formal 4-year degrees. Demand is especially increasing for wind turbine techs, elevator techs, industrial machinery mechanics, and railroad workers. Many of these career paths offer 6-digit salaries, once experienced in the industry.

If college never felt right for you, now’s the time to explore alternative pathways that offer long-term, stable careers.

Work Woes 📉

As the Federal government enters its 4th week of shutdown, federal worker unemployment claims are on the rise. There are roughly 1.4 million federal workers who are being furloughed right now, and though the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees they will be paid in full, workers are still worried. These protections do not reach contractors to the federal government, which is another large chunk of workers facing challenges because of the shutdown.

Work Whoas 🚨

Data for law school admissions for this year show a 30% increase in applicants from this time last year. Harper’s Magazine also released numbers for September 2024 and September 2025 LSAT registrations, showing a large uptick.

While economists note that early numbers can change dramatically, the uptick is registrations cues us on how people are feeling about the current job market and political climate. When people are worried about the state of the Union, we see an uptick in grad school applications and LSAT registrations. We saw a similar jump in 2022 when the tech layoffs began.

The surge in LSAT registrations signals rising competition for law school admissions. I’ve written before about the realities of graduate education and urge caution to anyone considering leaving a job for a “better” one through additional schooling, especially if it means taking on significant debt. In today’s uncertain job market, such decisions should be made with a focus on long-term demand, value, and stability.

🔦Career Spotlight🔦

Physical Therapy Assistant

Demand for Physical Therapy Assistants and aides is projected to grow by 16% between 2024 and 2034. The healthcare and rehabilitation field remains one of the fastest-expanding sectors in the United States, driven by an aging population and increased focus on mobility and wellness. Physical Therapy Assistants work under the direction of licensed Physical Therapists to help patients recover movement, manage pain, and regain independence after injury or illness. The work is hands-on and physically engaging, but as of 2024, wages range from $52k–$78k annually, ($34k+ for aides) with those in hospital/outpatient settings typically earning on the higher end.

Becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant: To get started, the minimum education required is typically an associate’s degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program, along with a state license or certification. Most programs include both classroom study and supervised clinical experience to prepare you for real-world patient care. After completing your degree, you’ll need to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs to become licensed. Some employers also provide on-the-job training to help you specialize in areas like orthopedics, pediatrics, or sports rehabilitation.

Who’s Hiring 🔍

• Retailers:

  • Catalyst Brands - Heading into the holiday season, brands under Catalyst are increasing hiring, such as JCPenny, Lucky Brands, Aeropostale, and Eddie Bauer.

  • Kohl’s - Increasing hiring for in-store positions, distribution centers, and e-fulfillment centers.

  • Dollar Tree - Announced increased hiring nation-wide.

  • Bath&Body Works - Plans on hiring 30,000 workers for the holiday season.

  • Mid-Luxury Brands - The luxury industry continues to grow. Jobs can be found on the Fashion Jobs and Business of Fashion job boards.

• Domestic Supply Chain:

  • Demand for workers with skills in domestic procurements, supply chain management, and trade compliance are rising as logistics and supply chain continue to grow in the US.

• Job Boards Database - This is the job boards of all job boards - literally. It organizes job boards into different industries, making it easy to find job boards in your industry of interest!

Reader Survey 🔎

Personal Developments 🌱

🎧What I’m listening to: How to Design Your Life (A Full Step-by-Step Process) - The Mel Robbins Podcast - I’m a huge fan of the Mel Robbins Podcast, and this episode has been one of my favorites to date. It provides practical tools on how to design the life you want, especially in relation to a career. My take away quote is, “It’s not too late, but it is up to you.”

📚 What I’m Reading: Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection by Geno Auriemma with Jackie MacMullan - As many of my readers know, I am the head coach for a high school girls’ lacrosse program here in Oregon, going into my 3rd season as the head coach, 7th season with the same school. Lacrosse is a spring sport, but I’ve been itching to get the [ground]ball rolling and continue improving my coaching skillset. This book has been highly recommended to me, about the coaching style of the head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team, Geno Auriemma.

📺 What I’m watching: Severance - I’ve been told this is a show I must watch, considering the topics I write about, so I’m finally watching it for the first time. Stay tuned for any thought pieces that come out of my binge!

In case you missed it ⬇️