Verizon layoffs 2025: Verizon may be preparing to join the growing number of US companies cutting staff, as per reports circulating online. Rumors suggest the telecom giant is planning to close several retail locations and lay off employees as part of a broader restructuring initiative, as per The Street report.

Verizon May Cut Staff and Close Stores Amid Restructuring Rumors

While Verizon has not officially confirmed the plans, the announcement is expected around November 20, as per the report. Details on which stores might close or the number of jobs affected remain unclear, though sources indicate that underperforming locations could be shuttered first and layoffs could also impact employees at stores that remain open, as per The Street report.

Verizon's Employee Concerns and Panic Spread on Reddit

An alleged Verizon employee on Reddit said that, "It's so crazy to me that the whole company is aware of the layoffs but unaware where specifically. It's causing panic to almost all employees," as quoted in the report.

While another alleged Verizon employee commented, saying, "This year has been an awful experience as an employee. I've watched my entire market's income reduce significantly," and added, "The average rep that was pulling ~60k a year is struggling for 45 in my market. Internal chatter is nervous all over, and local management essentially put us all on warning," as quoted by The Street.

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AI Automation Could Replace Verizon's Customer Service Role

Some users claim Verizon may replace certain positions with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, suggesting that customer service roles could be among the most affected, as per The Street report.

One Reddit user wrote, "I have no faith that the new CEO can right the ship. His big solution is to further gut the company and rely more heavily on AI. This is out of touch with what customers are asking for," as quoted in the report.

Verizon Says AI Investments Not Linked to Potential Layoffs

Verizon has heavily invested in AI throughout 2024 and 2025, but a spokesperson told TheStreet that these efforts are not linked to any potential layoffs, as per the report. CEO Daniel Schulman has acknowledged that restructuring is possible but has not provided details, reported The Street.

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Verizon AI Connect and Partnerships With Tech Giants

In January, Verizon launched Verizon AI Connect, a suite of products designed to support large-scale AI workloads using the company’s 5G, fiber, and edge-computing networks, as per the report. The company has also partnered with tech giants like Nvidia, Vultr, Google Cloud, and Meta to enhance its AI capabilities, as per The Street.

Verizon has rolled out several AI tools, including an AI Business Assistant to answer customer inquiries via text, an AI Shopping Assistant to recommend products, and Project 624, a service initiative launched in June to improve customer support across digital and retail channels, as per The Street report.

Verizon Revenue Growth Falls Short of Analyst Expectations

Despite a 1.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $33.82 billion in Q3 2025, Verizon fell short of analyst expectations. Schulman acknowledged that the company is "not reaching its potential" and that shareholder returns have been disappointing, as per the report. He said the company’s reliance on price increases without significant subscriber growth is unsustainable.

CEO Outlines Cost-Cutting and Efficiency Strategy

To address these challenges, Schulman outlined a plan focused on efficiency and customer experience, noting that investments in marketing and service improvements will be funded by aggressively reducing costs, as per The Street report. He emphasized that AI will play a key role in the transformation, helping employees provide better service while cutting complexity and expenses.

Retail Sector Trends Mirror Verizon’s Workforce Challenges

Industry experts warn that relying on layoffs as a cost-cutting measure can have hidden long-term costs. Harvard Business School research highlights that such moves often undermine profit, innovation, and productivity over time, as per The Street report.

The retail sector reflects similar pressures. As digital services and AI automation expand, brick-and-mortar stores face shrinking relevance. Coresight Research CEO Deborah Weinswig noted that retailers unable to adapt have been hit hardest, while US store closures are forecast to reach around 15,000 this year, nearly doubling the 7,325 closures in 2024, as per the report. Retail openings are down 29.6% in 2025, with closures up 334.3% compared to last year, driven by companies including Party City, Big Lots, Kohl’s, and Macy’s, as per The Street report.

FAQs

Is Verizon actually laying off employees?
Reports suggest layoffs are possible, but Verizon has not officially confirmed them yet, as per The Street report.

Will AI replace jobs at Verizon?
Some customer service positions may be replaced by AI tools, as per The Street report.