NJ Layoffs Hit 15K As Pharmaceutical Companies Ax More Jobs In September

Layoffs in New Jersey in 2026 continue to outpace the job cuts in 2025, with companies annnouncing the elimination of more than 15,000 positions so far.

September saw a continuation of the surge of layoffs, led in part by nearly 500 cuts by pharmaceutical companies. But that wasn't the only industry to see cuts, as hospitality, financial companies also announced positions will be cut, according to notices filed with the New Jersey Department of Labor.

The layoffs announced in 2026 through the end of September outpace the cutbacks that were made by New Jersey companies through the third quarter in 2025, with 14,765, a 32 percent increase over the 11,192 job cuts in 2025 through the same period.

The first six days of October have added 432 more cuts, for a total of 15,197, according to the notices filed so far. Under state and federal law, employers with more than 100 employees must file advance notice of mass layoffs affecting 50 people or more under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. New Jersey additionally requires companies to provide severance to the employees being laid off.

The largest cut in September was 533 jobs by Wonder, the food delivery and takeout company that brings together a multitude of restaurant options for consumers to choose from.

Pharmaceutical companies combined for another 500, with Bristol Myers Squibb announcing it is eliminating another 265 positions starting Dec. 17 and continuing into May 2027. It's the third layoff notice for that company, which cut 247 in February and 206 in April, for more than 700 layoffs in 2026.

Johnson & Johnson Services, which makes a host of over-the-counter medicines including Zyrtec, Benadryl, Tylenol, Motrin and Sudafed, along with other consumer health care products like BandAids, is cutting 88 positions as of Dec. 18. Its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, cut 56 in May.

Merck & Co. is eliminating 54 positions in two rounds, on Dec. 11 and Jan. 4, according to its notice. It is the second round of layoffs in 2026 for the company, which cut 88 in June. Merck laid off nearly 250 people in 2025.

Novo Nordisk, the maker of the obesity medication Wegovy, is eliminating 108 jobs at its Plainsboro facility as of Dec. 31.

Also making a second round of cuts in 2026 is the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center. The company laid off 99 people in July and is eliminating another 91 jobs as of Christmas.

Prudential Insurance, which cut 53 jobs in May and 89 in July, announced a third round of layoffs eliminating 125 positions starting Nov. 28.

October layoffs so far include Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods and Acme Markets, along with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and Atlantic City Linen Supply.

Dr. Praeger's, which makes vegetarian frozen foods including veggie burgers, is eliminating 168 jobs as of Dec. 30. The company is closing its Elmwood Park plant and moving those operations to Kentucky, the company said in a statement.

"Employees remaining with the company will transition to a new Corporate Office in the Elmwood Park area early in 2027," the statement said. "We know this is difficult news for the employees and families impacted, and we are incredibly grateful for everything our team has contributed to Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods LLC over the years. Our priority throughout this transition is to treat our employees with dignity, respect and fairness and make sure they have access to the support and resources available to them."

Acme Markets is eliminating 122 positions. The company is closing two stores it operates as Kings Food Markets in Hillsdale and Whitehouse Station as of Jan. 2, NJBIZ reported.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., a Japan-based financial company, is cutting 75 jobs in Jersey City with those cuts taking effect by Oct. 13, and Atlantic City Linen Supply is cutting 67 positions as of Jan. 3, according to its WARN notice.

Updated unemployment rates both nationally and in New Jersey have not been released for September.