It really sucks to lose your job, especially when you didn’t see it coming. I know what it’s like to get laid off–first there is the shock, then you’ll end up going through a few stages of grief or in some cases, relief.
Washington is an at-will state, meaning companies can fire or lay you off, with or without cause.
So far in 2026, nearly 84 companies are listed on the Washington State Employment Security Department’s WARN portal. WARN is the worker adjustment and retraining notification list that gives layoff and job closure information to the state.
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Washington State’s Biggest Company Layoffs in 2026
Given that Washington is the hub headquarters for several businesses, it’s no surprise that the biggest layoffs so far this year are from major tech and communications companies like Amazon, Meta, Oracle, T-Mobile, and Microsoft.
- Amazon: 2,599
- Meta: 1,726
- T-Mobile: 637
- Microsoft: 605
- Oracle: 475
- Republic National Distributing Company, LLC: 267
- Lavish Roots Catering and Hospitality: 263
- Starbucks: 252
- Expeditors International of Washington, Inc: 230
Turning A Job Layoff into a Fresh Start
One thing I no one told me about is that if you get laid off because of no fault of your own, you may not only qualify for unemployment benefits, but you might also qualify for worker retraining which allows you to have your apprenticeship or post-secondary education paid for by the state.
When I was laid off before, I chose to pursue an early childhood education degree. I wasn’t able to complete it, but I did gain valuable experience that served me well in my next job assignment and as a new parent!
Learn more about worker retraining options at Washington technical, private, and community college schools.
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