HR explained the increase in the number of layoffs in companies at the end of 2025
The increase in the number of layoffs in the fourth quarter of 2025 was the result of processes that took shape throughout the year. Roman Yerkhov, CEO of TuBi recruitment company, told Izvestia about this on March 6.
According to him, at the beginning of the year, companies tried to retain teams and reduce costs mainly by freezing hiring. However, by the end of the year, many businesses had moved to tougher management decisions. Against the background of rising costs, high cost of borrowed capital and the need to improve operational efficiency, firms began to actively review organizational structures and staff numbers. As a result, in the fourth quarter, the number of laid-off employees reached 32.6 thousand people. Yerkhov stressed that such dynamics should be considered as a managerial adjustment rather than as a sign of a crisis.
The most noticeable optimization has affected administrative and support functions. First of all, we are talking about back-office divisions, parts of marketing services, individual HR functions and other operational areas.
According to the expert, these divisions have been actively expanding in previous years along with the growth of the business, but they have not always had a direct impact on revenue. In the context of the need to improve efficiency, companies began to reduce management levels, combine functions and actively implement digital tools.
"Technological transformation has become an additional factor. Many processes are gradually being automated, and some tasks are being transferred to digital platforms. This is especially noticeable in document management, customer service, analytics, and a number of operational functions," the expert said.
At the same time, a certain imbalance is forming in the labor market. Despite the cuts, there is still a high demand for specialists in a number of industries. In particular, we are talking about manufacturing, construction, logistics and engineering professions.
However, employees who are being retrenched do not always have the skills that are most in demand right now. For this reason, it may take longer to find a new job.
Yerkhov also noted that support programs for laid-off employees are less common today than they were a few years ago. Companies strive to reduce related costs, so outplacement services are often not included in mandatory corporate programs. According to him, such measures are more often retained only by large firms, for which the reputation of the employer and the brand's stability in the labor market are important. In most cases, support is limited to standard compensation and job search recommendations.
The expert believes that point optimization may continue in the coming quarters. At the same time, it will be primarily related to structural changes and the introduction of technologies.
"In the long term, companies will build more compact and flexible teams, where each role is directly related to creating value for the customer," Erkhov emphasized.
Ilona Platonova, an analyst at Adviros HR company, in an interview with Izvestia on March 4, predicted a decrease in the number of vacancies to 20% in 2026. According to experts, in the first quarter of 2026, employers maintain conservative recruitment plans during a period of low investment activity and adaptation to changes in tax legislation. The overall level of demand from employers has been reduced. There will probably be 10-20% fewer vacancies during the year. The trend began to reverse in the second half of last year: by the end of 2025, the number of new vacancies on the largest job search platforms had decreased by about a third. At the same time, the demand for scarce workers and engineering professions, especially in the regions, remains high.
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