72% of companies did not have comprehensive plans before recent layoffs.

Fiverr's new research reveals that 72% of companies did not have comprehensive plans before recent layoffs. Key findings include:

- Layoffs in Q1 2024 affected over 250,000 U.S. employees.
- Main reasons for layoffs were AI-driven efficiency (44%) and redundant skills (40%).
- Companies are increasingly hiring freelancers post-layoff (69% already hired, 21% plan to).
- 89% of leaders were concerned about team stress and burnout, and 91% about job security.
- Freelancers are seen as crucial for reducing workload, boosting morale, and potentially preventing future layoffs.