Editor’s Observe: This story initially appeared on Monster.
Layoffs are being mentioned in all places from headlines and LinkedIn feeds to group chats. But when it comes time to replace a resume, many staff nonetheless really feel they should maintain quiet.
Based on Monster’s Layoff Stigma Examine, primarily based on responses from greater than 1,000 employed U.S. staff, one in three staff (33%) say they might conceal a layoff on their resume in the event that they had been laid off tomorrow.
Even in an period of widespread company downsizing, job seekers stay conflicted about how a lot transparency is an excessive amount of.
The findings reveal a contemporary paradox: Layoffs are more and more widespread and publicly mentioned, but many staff nonetheless worry how a layoff is perhaps perceived by recruiters and hiring managers.
Key Findings
- 33% of staff say they might conceal a layoff on their resume
- 54% would really feel embarrassed discussing a layoff socially
- 69% say stigma round layoffs has not improved
- 67% would maintain a layoff off LinkedIn
One in Three Employees Would Cover a Layoff
At the same time as layoffs change into extra widespread, many staff really feel stress to hide them in the course of the job search course of.
- 33% of staff say that in the event that they had been laid off tomorrow, they might conceal it on their resume
- 67% would add the layoff transparently on their resume
The Social Stigma Isn’t Gone
Layoffs could also be widespread, however they’re nonetheless uncomfortable to speak about. When requested how they really feel discussing a layoff socially:
- 46% say they don’t seem to be embarrassed in any respect
- 40% say they’re a little bit embarrassed
- 14% say they’re very or extraordinarily embarrassed
Meaning greater than half of staff expertise some stage of embarrassment when speaking about being laid off, even throughout a 12 months marked by mass company cuts.
Layoff Stigma Isn’t Bettering
Employees are divided on whether or not perceptions round layoffs are enhancing:
- 24% say layoff stigma is worse than in earlier years
- 45% say it’s about the identical
- 31% consider it’s getting higher
Regardless of the frequency of layoffs throughout industries, many staff really feel that the narrative hasn’t shifted sufficient and for some, it’s truly deteriorating.
Most Employees Favor Privateness On-line
Public layoff bulletins have change into extra seen on LinkedIn, notably within the tech sector. However for many staff, discretion nonetheless wins.
- 67% say they might maintain a layoff non-public on LinkedIn
- 33% say they might announce it brazenly
Whereas viral layoff posts can generate assist and networking alternatives, nearly all of staff nonetheless fear about visibility, judgment, or long-term skilled penalties.
What Employees Think about Honest Severance
The research additionally sheds gentle on how staff take into consideration monetary safety throughout layoffs:
- 35% consider severance ought to be primarily based on tenure
- 9% consider severance ought to exceed 6 months
- 25% say 3–6 months of pay is honest
- 21% count on 1–2 months
- 10% say 2–4 weeks
Employees overwhelmingly favor longer severance packages, with 90% anticipating no less than one month of pay or severance tied to tenure.
What This Means for Job Seekers
The takeaway is evident: layoffs could also be widespread, however the stigma hasn’t disappeared. Many staff nonetheless really feel the necessity to handle notion rigorously, particularly on resumes and social platforms.
That’s why readability, context, and confidence matter greater than ever. Job seekers who’re clear and deal with accomplishments fairly than circumstances are higher positioned to regulate their story.
To assist staff navigate resume updates after a layoff, Monster provides a free resume builder and free customizable templates, designed to assist job seekers current their profession historical past with readability and confidence.
As a result of a layoff could also be a part of your story nevertheless it doesn’t outline your worth.
Methodology
This survey was performed by Pollfish on January 7, 2026, amongst 1,002 at present employed U.S. staff. Respondents answered a sequence of multiple-choice questions analyzing perceptions of layoffs, resume disclosure, office stigma, social sharing, and severance expectations.
The pattern included illustration throughout generations, with 17% Gen Z (born 1997 or later), 27% Millennials (born 1981–1996), 27% Gen X (born 1965–1980), and 29% Child Boomers (born 1946–1964). Respondents recognized their gender as 46% male, 54% feminine.
