Verizon, Novartis, and Merck add to New Jersey’s significant layoffs this year

⚠️ More than 7,600 layoffs have been announced in New Jersey so far in 2026.

➡️ Verizon, Novartis, Merck and Acme Markets are among employers reporting cuts.

🔴 June began with fresh NJ layoff notices from Optum and Merck.

New Jersey continues to keep pace with a high number of layoffs — with more than 7,600 cuts announced in 2026 as of June first.

Verizon, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Prudential and JP Morgan Chase are among 15 separate layoff notices in May through the state “Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.”

And, June opened with some New Jersey layoffs announced by Merck and Optum Healthcare.

Another chunk of roughly 1,480 larger scale layoffs announced in May was the complete closure of Spirit Airlines, which impacted 201 employees based in New Jersey.

Verizon announced 121 new layoffs based in Basking Ridge, while Novartis announced its third round of the year — for a collective 250 layoffs based out of East Hanover.

Read More: Verizon's layoffs impact NJ, as Walmart and Target announce cuts 

Acme Markets also is preparing to layoff 115 workers, as it closes its Edgewater grocery store by August.

A spokesperson said they would do their best to help those impacted find jobs elsewhere in the company, or be eligible for severance.

Another big New Jersey employer, Merck, kicked off June by announcing 88 layoffs, effective by September.

That follows 204 layoffs, largely out of the pharmaceutical giant's Rahway complex that were announced late last year.

Read More: Optum to close dozens of doctors' offices across New Jersey

And,healthcare provider Optum announced a total of 58 layoffs to start June — broken down as 36 with Optum Services out of Basking Ridge, 17 with Optum Select Management in Somerset and five out of Rutherford, with Optum Care.

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