LinkedIn plans 5% workforce cut, Reuters says while tech layoffs top 100,000 in 2026

LinkedIn plans to inform employees of layoffs on Wednesday as the Microsoft-owned professional networking platform joins a growing list of technology companies trimming staff amid another wave of industry-wide job cuts in 2026, according to Reuters.

The company is expected to reduce about 5% of its workforce as part of an organizational restructuring aimed at aligning personnel with faster-growing areas of the business, one person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

LinkedIn employs more than 17,500 full-time workers globally, according to its website.

Reuters could not determine which teams would be affected by the cuts.

The layoffs come despite continued revenue growth at the company.

According to securities filings from Microsoft, LinkedIn revenue rose 12% in the latest quarter compared with a year earlier, marking an acceleration in growth during 2026.

Tech layoffs accelerate again

One source told Reuters the layoffs were not being driven by artificial intelligence replacing jobs directly at LinkedIn.

Still, concerns around AI-driven disruption continue to shape sentiment across the broader technology sector.

Many large technology firms have increasingly reorganized operations around AI development and efficiency initiatives as businesses race to integrate generative AI tools into products and workflows.

Earlier this year, Block, founded by Jack Dorsey, announced plans to eliminate nearly half its workforce.

Last week, Cloudflare unveiled a roughly 20% reduction in staff, while Meta Platforms was also reported to be preparing additional layoffs later this month.

Industry executives have offered differing views on AI’s long-term impact on jobs.

While some technology leaders have warned about displacement, others argue AI is changing the nature of work rather than eliminating it entirely.

In software development, for example, many engineers now use AI tools to generate or assist with coding tasks.

AI spending reshapes workforce priorities

Data compiled by Layoffs.fyi shows technology layoffs have accelerated sharply this year after moderating in 2024 and 2025.

According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 103,000 tech workers have lost their jobs globally so far in 2026, nearing the more than 124,000 layoffs recorded during all of 2025.

Research platform Statista reported that layoffs totaled roughly 81,700 in the first quarter alone, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023.

Another 20,000 job cuts were announced during the first six weeks of the second quarter.

The resurgence marks a reversal from recent years when technology sector layoffs had stabilized following the post-pandemic downturn.

The report on LinkedIn’s planned workforce reduction also comes shortly after Walmart reportedly cut or relocated around 1,000 corporate employees as the retailer consolidated parts of its global technology and AI operations.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Walmart said the changes were linked to organizational alignment and streamlining decision-making rather than replacing workers with artificial intelligence.