Verizon Layoffs 2025: 13,000+ Jobs Cut in Major Restructuring

Verizon Announces Massive Layoffs: 13,000+ Positions Eliminated Amid Restructuring

In a seismic shift for the telecommunications industry, Verizon has confirmed plans to eliminate over 13,000 jobs as part of a sweeping cost-cutting initiative. The announcement, made by CEO Dan Schulman in an internal memo on November 20, 2025, represents the largest single workforce reduction in the company's history and signals a dramatic restructuring of operations.

The layoffs will impact approximately 20% of Verizon's non-union management workforce—roughly 14,000 of its 70,000 non-union employees—with cuts occurring across all departments rather than targeting specific areas. The reductions come as Verizon faces mounting pressure from aggressive competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile, which have been outpacing Verizon in subscriber growth and market share.

Driving Forces Behind the Cuts

Schulman framed the layoffs as essential for addressing "cost structure limits" that have hindered Verizon's ability to invest in customer value propositions and technological innovation. The company's recent history includes massive investments—$52 billion for midband spectrum in 2021, $20 billion for Frontier Communications, and $6 billion for TracFone Wireless—creating operational complexity that executives now seek to streamline.

"Our current cost structure limits our ability to invest significantly in our customer value proposition," Schulman stated in the memo. "We must simplify our operations to address the complexity and friction that slow us down and frustrate our customers."

The competitive landscape has intensified recently, with Verizon adding only 44,000 wireless subscribers in Q3 2025 compared to T-Mobile's 1 million+ additions. This performance gap has forced Verizon to reassess its operational efficiency while rivals launch aggressive pricing strategies around new iPhone releases.

Support for Displaced Workers

Verizon has established a $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund to support affected employees. The initiative will focus on "skill development, digital training and job placement" to help workers transition to new opportunities, particularly as the company emphasizes AI integration in its forward-looking strategy.

"This is an opportunity for Verizon to reset, restructure and realign our priorities on ways that will help us regain our leadership as a communications provider," a Verizon spokesperson commented.

The layoffs comply with federal WARN Act requirements, providing at least 60 days' advance notice. Implementation will vary by state, with staggered reductions based on local regulations.

Broader Industry Implications

Verizon's downsizing reflects a troubling pattern across corporate America. The telecommunications giant joins Amazon (14,000 corporate cuts) and Target (1,800 cuts) in recent mass layoffs. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers slashed over 150,000 jobs in October 2025 alone—the largest wave in 20 years.

"Our current cost structure limits our ability to invest significantly in our customer value proposition."

The restructuring extends beyond personnel cuts, with Verizon converting 179 corporate retail stores to franchised operations and closing one location. This retail transformation mirrors broader industry trends toward franchise models that reduce capital expenditure and operational overhead.

What's Next for Verizon?

With Schulman—formerly PayPal's CEO—taking the helm in October 2025, Verizon aims to redirect savings toward network modernization and AI-driven services. The company hopes these investments will reverse subscriber attrition and position it for leadership in the 5G era.

For affected employees, the transition fund offers immediate support, though the job market remains challenging. As Verizon navigates this restructuring, the telecom industry watches closely to see whether these measures will restore its competitive edge or signal deeper systemic vulnerabilities.