What departments are affected by NIH layoffs?

NIH layoffs in 2025 impacted a broad range of departments, affecting researchers, scientists, doctors, and support staff across its 27 institutes and centers, with significant cuts to communications, HR, and procurement, along with senior leadership and administrative roles, creating upheaval in scientific research and public health communication. Specific affected areas include communications, legislative affairs, procurement, human resources, lab management, and various research support functions, with significant job losses in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other key areas.

Who has been laid off at NIH?

They are Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), who in a recently filed federal whistleblower complaint says her removal was for political reasons; Diana Bianchi, director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Eliseo Pérez-Stable, who ...

Who gets targeted in layoffs?

Employees getting laid off often come from tech, media, finance, and retail, particularly in roles like marketing, recruiting, sales, and IT, due to cost-cutting, restructuring, and the impact of AI replacing tasks, though specific departments vary by company. High-paid roles, non-essential staff, poor performers, or those resistant to change can also be targeted, while core engineering/product roles in some sectors remain relatively secure. 

Which sector has the most layoffs?

The industries experiencing the most layoffs in late 2024 and 2025 include Technology, Government, Retail, and Logistics/Warehousing, driven by factors like AI adoption, cost-cutting, economic shifts, and changing consumer demands, with significant cuts also seen in Finance, Manufacturing, and some Healthcare administrative roles. These widespread reductions follow major tech layoffs in prior years, highlighting ongoing workforce adjustments across major sectors. 

Who typically gets laid off first?

When layoffs happen, who goes first varies by company but often includes new hires (Last In, First Out), underperformers, high-salary employees, or those whose roles are less critical to new business priorities, while some use seniority (First In, First Out); it depends heavily on the company's reason for cutting staff, like restructuring or cost reduction. 

US health agencies lay off thousands at CDC, FDA and NIH

What is the rule of 70 for layoffs?

The "Rule of 70" in layoffs isn't a universal law but often refers to a specific severance benefit trigger: when an employee's age + years of service equals 70 or more, they might qualify for enhanced severance, like longer pay, health coverage, or better packages, often tied to age 55+ and 10+ years of service, stemming from corporate plans or union agreements to avoid age discrimination claims, notes NYU HR policy, Reddit forum. It's a guideline for generous severance, not a legal mandate for firing, but helps companies navigate age bias risks, according to this Reddit thread.
 

What is the 3 month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a new job refers to the initial probation period (often 90 days) where both employer and employee assess fit, focusing on learning systems, team dynamics, and core skills, not immediate high performance, with success measured by integration, asking questions, and showing initiative rather than perfection. It's a transition phase for understanding the role, with a common 30-60-90 day breakdown: 1st month for learning, 2nd for contributing, 3rd for execution. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying over $400,000 without a college degree exist, with Walmart Store Managers being a prominent example due to increased bonuses and stock, while other high earners include roles in enterprise tech sales, commercial real estate, high-level trades (like nuclear operators, air traffic controllers), and self-made entrepreneurs/influencers, all relying on high skill, performance, and market demand, not just degrees, according to sources from Tallo and The Wall Street Journal. 

What is the 10% layoff rule?

The "10 layoff rule" refers to the controversial management strategy popularized by former GE CEO Jack Welch, known as the Vitality Curve or 20-70-10 system, where companies annually identify and remove the bottom 10% of underperforming employees to maintain a high-performing workforce, forcing continuous improvement but risking morale and talent loss. While some entrepreneurs still use it for talent refreshment, many modern companies view it as draconian, preferring more nuanced approaches to performance management, notes Ross Clennett and Artisan Talent. 

What is the #1 reason people get fired?

The #1 reason employees get fired is often cited as poor work performance or incompetence, encompassing failure to meet standards, low productivity, or poor quality work, but issues like misconduct, attendance problems (lateness/absenteeism), insubordination, violating company policies, and attitude problems (not being a team player, toxicity) are also primary drivers, often overlapping with performance. 

What are signs a layoff is coming?

One telltale sign is unusual manager behavior. Many frontline managers learn about upcoming layoffs a few weeks in advance. As a result, they might become cagey or anxious in their interactions with their teams. You might observe your boss suddenly avoiding long-term topics in one-on-one meetings.

Do good employees get laid off?

High performers are not necessarily safe from layoffs. The misconception that job performance is a shield against layoffs can often be misleading for high performers. As mentioned earlier, the need for swift budget cuts may lead to layoffs where even the best employees have to be let go.

Is 2025 the worst year for layoffs?

2025 was a brutal year for layoffs. Even perceived winners in the AI-fueled economy, like Meta, announced workforce reductions.

How many NIH employees were fired in 2025?

The Trump administration inherited an NIH with three top-level vacancies. Since then, three more directors have retired, two left for other NIH roles, and six were fired or let go as part of the government's mass layoffs in health agencies. It fired 1,200 of NIH's 20,000-person workforce.

What agencies fall under the NIH?

NIH Institutes

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) ...
• National Eye Institute (NEI) ...
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) ...
• National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) ...
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) ...
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Why did Francis Collins leave NIH?

Dr. Francis Collins left the NIH (initially stepping down as Director in 2021 and fully retiring later) due to increasing political interference, restrictions on scientific communication, staff firings, and budget/project halts under the Trump administration, making his position untenable and conflicting with his scientific mission, though he initially cited the need for new leadership after a decade. He later revealed frustrations with being "muzzled" and political directives, especially concerning COVID-19 messaging and research funding cuts. 

Who is usually the first to get laid off?

Nonessential teams or high-cost departments may be targeted first. But in today's world, almost any function can be outsourced. Sales and marketing jobs often survive longer because they bring in revenue. Research and development is also protected from any layoffs, since it supports long-term growth.

What not to say during a layoff?

When firing someone, avoid saying anything that sounds apologetic, overly emotional, vague, or comparative (like "you're not like Mike"), as it undermines the decision or creates confusion; instead, be direct, focus on business reasons, and keep it brief and professional to prevent legal issues and allow the employee dignity. Stick to the facts, use "I" statements about the business decision (not "we"), and don't offer false hope, comparisons, or excessive details the employee can't process.
 

What is the typical severance for layoffs?

While many organizations do not offer severance payments upon involuntary termination (such as layoffs), many do. A standard guideline is one to two weeks of pay per year of employment, but the final total relies on years of service, job role, and employee base pay.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2000 daily often involves high-skill freelancing (consulting, specialized writing), high-ticket sales, advanced digital marketing (SEO, funnel building), or specialized gig economy work (luxury pet care, event services), with some paths like content creation or e-commerce taking significant time to scale; quick cash might come from selling valuable items or intense gig work (Uber, TaskRabbit, Rover), while long-term potential lies in building assets like courses or membership sites. 

How much is $60,000 a year hourly?

$60,000 a year is approximately $28.85 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek (2080 work hours per year), calculated by dividing your annual salary by 2080 hours. This breaks down to about $1,154 weekly or $5,000 monthly before taxes and deductions. 

Is it a red flag to leave a job after 3 months?

Employment gaps are common, and having one on your resume isn't usually a cause for concern. However, if it's not the first time you've left a job after only a few months, it might be a red flag for future employers. You may have money problems.

What is the 70 rule of hiring?

The 70% rule in hiring is a guideline suggesting you should hire candidates who meet about 70% of the job's requirements, focusing on potential, trainability, and transferable skills for the missing 30%. It encourages hiring for growth and new perspectives rather than waiting for a "perfect" candidate who checks every box, which can slow down the hiring process and lead to understaffed teams. The missing skills are expected to be learned on the job, fostering employee loyalty and development. 

What is the 30-60-90 rule?

The "30-60-90 rule" refers to two main concepts: a strategic onboarding plan for new jobs (learning in the first 30 days, contributing in the next 30, driving results in the last 30) and a special right triangle in geometry where sides are in a fixed ratio (x, x3x the square root of 3 end-root𝑥3√, 2x) for angles 30°, 60°, and 90°. Both use the numbers 30, 60, and 90 to define distinct phases or proportions, providing structure for new roles or solving geometric problems.