October 27, 2026
Michigan employers filed 13 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications (WARNs) during the third quarter of 2026, affecting 2,899 Michigan jobs. Of those announcements, seven occurred during the quarter, affecting 1,748 jobs primarily in central and eastern Michigan, according to the latest update of the Upjohn Institute’s Michigan Layoff Tracker.
The interactive tool, maintained by the Upjohn Regional Team, tracks large-scale layoff notices across the state and maps where job losses are occurring, their size, and the industries most affected. The tracker is based on WARN filings, which require employers with 100 or more workers to provide advance notice of plant closings or mass layoffs.
The third-quarter 2026 update highlights two trends affecting businesses and jobs in Michigan. The first involves layoffs at Fifth Third Bank and Compass Group USA, and the second relates to continuing disruptions in the automotive markets.
Corporate Restructuring and Consolidation Are Reshaping Michigan Layoffs
Fifth Third Bank recently acquired Comerica Bank and began consolidating the businesses in the second quarter of this year. This change resulted in 502 layoffs scheduled for July 1 at the Farmington Hills location, with more layoffs expected. Fifth Third announced another mass layoff in Auburn Hills scheduled for September 11, affecting 234 jobs. A Fifth Third spokesperson confirmed to news media that the consolidation of the two businesses had been completed.
Six companies across Michigan announced new layoffs in the third quarter of this year stemming from acquisitions or restructurings. Layoffs due to restructuring have been announced for Trinity Health, Kroger, and Conduent Commercial Solutions. Additional layoffs due to acquisitions include Rugged Liner and Niagara Bottling. Meanwhile, Republic National Distributing Company issued a conditional WARN notice, dependent on an acquisition from Martignetti Companies.
Continued Layoffs in Health Care and Automotive Manufacturing
Compass Group USA announced an additional 311 layoffs on July 24 across eight sites in Michigan due to a “loss of contract” through its food and nutrition services operation, Morrison Healthcare. This announcement was followed shortly by an additional layoff notice, from a loss of contract, of 168 jobs from five sites on September 25. Specifics on the contract, or contracted client, have not been released publicly by Compass Group USA.
General Motors announced that it will begin retooling its Lansing Grand River Assembly/Stamping plant and the Lansing Regional Stamping plant for new projects, such as the next-generation Cadillac CT5, in early 2027. The exact duration of the process is unclear, but previous GM retooling periods have lasted several months. During this period, 350 employees will be laid off but may be eligible for work at other GM facilities or unemployment benefits. Many will likely be recalled at the end of the retooling process.
This retooling marks a definitive commitment by GM to internal combustion engines at this facility, which was originally slated to receive a $1.25 billion investment in 2023 to prepare for electric vehicle production.
SK Siltron closed its two facilities in Bay City on September 19, a decision that resulted in 130 layoffs. The company cited changes in the electric vehicle market. It manufactures silicon carbide wafers that can improve the charging speed and driving range of electric vehicles.