Amid an alarming surge in job cuts across the United States in 2025, a new wave of layoff anxiety is sweeping through the workforce, driving Americans to work harder but ultimately burning out faster, experts warn. A recent CNBC report highlights the unprecedented level of job insecurity: nearly 700,000 layoffs were reported in the first five months of the year—an 80% spike compared to the same period in 2024—leaving 46% of workers worried about their future employment and exposing stark psychological tolls (CNBC).
The topic resonates with Thai readers as Thailand’s workforce, too, faces global economic ripples, workplace volatility, and mounting concerns over job security in both public and private sectors. Economic downturns in key export markets and technological change have triggered similar anxieties among Thai employees, who often grapple with job loss fears and overwork in times of uncertainty.
Recent findings suggest that layoff anxiety is no longer just an economic issue but a public health concern. According to an Indeed survey, almost half of Americans now identify as “concerned” about possible layoffs in the next year (clarifycapital.com; Times of India). Executive coach and social worker Melody Wilding, quoted in the CNBC piece, describes a “vicious cycle” where fear of losing a job drives people to overcompensate, working long hours—even in ways that aren’t productive—only to burn out faster. “It’s always in the back of your head, so you’re not really bringing your best to anything you’re doing. There’s just a hum of anxiety in the background,” Wilding explains.
Career coach Phoebe Gavin notes that persistent preoccupation with work—constantly ruminating or talking about one’s job—is a red flag, with such thoughts spilling into non-work hours and personal life. “If it’s something that is just popping into your mind, even at unrelated times, and you’re having a hard time distracting yourself…that is definitely a telltale sign you should probably do something about that anxiety,” Gavin observes. The emotional fallout doesn’t stop at the office door; as she noted, work anxiety “seeps into the rest of your life,” straining relationships and support networks.
In the context of Thailand, where collectivist values encourage workers to prioritize team spirit and personal sacrifice, this phenomenon can pose unique cultural challenges. Overwork driven by layoff fears is familiar to many Thai office workers, who may not feel comfortable discussing mental health openly or seeking help due to societal stigmas. During recent economic slowdowns and even prior to the pandemic years, the Department of Mental Health has tracked rises in work-related stress and mental health complaints, especially during periods of layoffs in manufacturing and tourism (กรมสุขภาพจิต).
Globally, rapid advances in automation and digitalization intensify these trends. A 2025 report by Clarify Capital finds that “layoff anxiety is most common among remote workers (47%), more than double that of in-office workers (20%),” a split that is increasingly relevant as remote work becomes normalized in both the US and Southeast Asia (clarifycapital.com). For many, the hardest element is the sense of powerlessness. “Feeling like you have absolutely no control over the situation” is the most distressing aspect, according to Gavin.
In such environments, anxiety can create a contagious negative atmosphere in workplaces, heightening tension and reducing productivity across the board. Thai employers, especially in sectors like electronics, automotive, apparel, and service industries, face a parallel risk: waves of layoff rumors can erode workplace morale, decrease efficiency, and undermine creative collaboration. The widespread adoption of “hustle culture” and the increasing gig economy may offer temporary flexibility, but as 46% of the US workforce now signals heightened layoff fear, similar mental health aftershocks could confront Thai workers—and require urgent response from businesses, unions, and policymakers (healthandme.com).
Experts stress the importance of actionable solutions. Wilding encourages employees to proactively update résumés and maintain professional networks, arguing that preparation can “give you a feeling of agency and control.” Gavin suggests honest dialogue with supervisors—something that could be adapted for Thai workplaces, where hierarchical cultures sometimes discourage open conversations about vulnerability, but where recent corporate mental health initiatives and HR reforms have begun to make headway.
For Thailand, these findings represent an important lesson. The Ministry of Labour and Department of Mental Health are already aware of the link between job insecurity and rising stress rates, but the scale and pace of psychological impacts now seen internationally may require stronger, more coordinated responses. Integrating mental health support into company HR programs, fostering open discussion of layoffs or restructuring, and promoting individual skill development can all help provide workers with buffers against the crushing stress of employment uncertainty.
Culturally, Thais have long relied on strong family and community ties to weather hard times, but the rapid urbanization of recent decades has left more individuals exposed to isolation and “urban loneliness,” especially in Bangkok and other major cities. Buddhist teachings, promoting mindfulness and acceptance, offer valuable coping resources, but as workplaces and families grow busier, access to professional mental health support and counseling—long advocated by NGOs and health professionals—should be prioritized.
Looking forward, the international research underscores the urgent need for both systemic and individual action. Employers should provide transparent communication about potential layoffs, offer upskilling and reskilling programs, and ensure mental health resources are accessible to all staff. For workers, managing layoff anxiety may involve creating clear action plans: updating résumés, researching industry trends, and staying connected with professional circles. Start conversations about job security openly—if possible within the cultural context of your company—and don’t hesitate to seek professional psychological support when needed. For policymakers, strengthening social security nets and worker retraining is vital to minimize the socioeconomic fallout from global and local labor shifts.
For Thai readers facing an uncertain future, the recommendation is clear: act early, cultivate resilience, stay informed, and seek help before anxiety turns into burnout. As the American experience shows, the mental health of an entire workforce—and the productivity of a country—may well depend on how individuals and institutions rise to this challenge.
Sources: CNBC, Clarify Capital, Times of India, healthandme.com, กรมสุขภาพจิต