Corporate America is putting its staff in layoff limbo
Nike has announced upcoming layoffs starting in 2027 as part of a broader shift in its operating model. The company is notifying employees years in advance, a strategy that aims to provide transparency but has also sparked concerns about long-term workplace uncertainty.
Why it matters
This trend of 'layoff limbo' reflects a shift in corporate management styles, balancing the need for operational restructuring with the psychological impact on the workforce.
Nike CEO Elliott Hill, who recently released a statement forecasting job cuts that "will begin in calendar year 2027 and beyond." Bloomberg/Getty Images Some companies are announcing cuts weeks or months before telling workers who'll lose their jobs. Nike is the latest. Meta and GitLab made similar moves earlier this year. The added time can help staffers find new gigs. It can also add stress. Some companies are giving an unusual kind of layoff warning: Cuts are coming, though you might have to wait weeks or months to learn whether your role was affected. Nike did this last week, saying in a statement that it would make decisions about affected roles starting in 2027 and beyond. Earlier this year, Meta and GitLab also announced plans for future cuts before identifying who they would let go.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in