The emerging phenomenon of “forever layoffs” describes a new employment insecurity where workers are neither fully laid off nor confidently retained — left instead in extended uncertainty that saps morale, productivity and trust. Rather than announcing large waves of job cuts, many companies now trim headcount continuously in small, quiet rounds, creating a workplace where employees fear termination at any moment and no one feels truly secure in their role. This trend has shifted how organisations manage labour: frequent, minor layoffs avoid headline-grabbing mass layoffs yet maintain constant pressure on employees. Research from workforce analysts shows these patterns reflect broader structural changes in how companies respond to market shifts, cost-cutting needs and increased automation.

For the employees who remain, this “slow poison” of ambivalence contributes to an environment resembling a waiting room — workers show up day after day with no clarity on their future, eroding motivation and engagement. Experts argue this shift fosters a culture of anxiety, where individuals optimise for job survival rather than innovation or growth, and where loyalty and long-term planning take a back seat to short-term flexibility. The trend mirrors wider labour market dynamics where flexible staffing, AI integration and global competition reshape traditional employment stability, prompting calls for clearer communication, stronger worker protections and organisational practices that balance agility with humane workforce strategies.