Berkshire Hathaway layoffs, on the record
Every job cut, severance charge and restructuring Berkshire Hathaway reported in its annual reports, 2022 to 2025, quoted from the filings. Headcount went from approximately 383,000 to approximately 387,800.
Headcount, as reported
| Annual report | Employees | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 10-K for 2022 | approximately 383,000 | the end of 2022 |
| 10-K for 2023 | approximately 396,500 | at the end of 2023 |
| 10-K for 2024 | approximately 392,400 | at the end of 2024 |
| 10-K for 2025 | approximately 387,800 | the end of 2025 |
Job cuts, severance and restructuring
Our summaryPrecision Castparts recorded asset impairment and restructuring costs in 2020 as it resized operations amid reduced aircraft production.
Word for word“Asset impairment and restructuring costs in 2020 were $295 million.” 10-K for 2022
Our summaryManufacturing earnings declined in 2023, partly because of higher losses from restructurings, plant closures and divestitures.
Word for word“The earnings decline in 2023 was driven by lower sales volumes, reduced manufacturing efficiencies and higher losses from restructurings, plant closures and divestitures in 2023, partially offset by lower raw materials costs and energy costs as well as reduced freight, shipping and utilities expenses.” 10-K for 2023
Our summarySome apparel and footwear businesses cut inventories and right-sized operations in 2023, and Duracell's earnings fell on higher restructuring costs.
Word for word“Certain of our apparel and footwear businesses took actions in 2023 to reduce inventories and right-size operations.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryDuracell's earnings improved in 2024 partly because its restructuring costs were lower.
Word for word“The earnings increase at Duracell was attributable to increased gross sales margins and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, including lower restructuring costs.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryBuilding products earnings in 2023 were hurt by losses from restructurings, plant closures and divestitures.
Word for word“The earnings decline in 2023 was driven by lower sales volumes, reduced manufacturing efficiencies and losses from restructurings, plant closures and divestitures in 2023, partially offset by lower raw material costs and energy costs as well as reduced freight, shipping and utilities expenses.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryLubrizol reported higher restructuring costs in 2025 tied to exiting certain businesses, which reduced its pre-tax earnings.
Word for word“Lubrizol’s pre-tax earnings declined 20.6% in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting the effects of lower selling prices and volumes, higher manufacturing costs, increased restructuring costs related to exiting certain businesses and litigation expenses, partially offset by lower raw materials costs and selling, general and administrative expenses and favorable product mix.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryMarmon's earnings were reduced in part by restructuring charges in its Foodservice Technologies group.
Word for word“These increases were partially offset by lower earnings in the Metal Services group, due to lower revenues, an impairment loss on the Electrical group’s joint venture in India, restructuring charges in the Foodservice Technologies group and higher medical costs across Marmon.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryThe building products group had lower restructuring and legal expenses in 2025 than in 2024.
Word for word“The earnings decline was primarily attributable to lower sales volumes and average gross margin rates and negative impacts of international trade tensions, partially offset by lower restructuring and legal expenses compared to 2024.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryBerkshire's retailing businesses outside the named operations had higher restructuring costs in 2025.
Word for word“Aggregate pre-tax earnings for the remainder of our retailing group declined $53 million in 2025 compared to 2024, generally reflecting lower gross margins and higher restructuring costs, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses.” 10-K for 2025
Berkshire Hathaway has filed no restructuring notice (Form 8-K, Item 2.05) since 2016. Companies file one only for a cut they judge material, so many announced layoffs never appear as one. This page shows what the company reported to the SEC, not news reports or state layoff notices.
Read from Berkshire Hathaway’s annual reports (10-K for 2025, 10-K for 2024, 10-K for 2023, 10-K for 2022) and the financial data it files with the SEC, as of 2026-03-02. Every quotation is word for word from the filing linked beside it; how these pages are built and checked. The full record is in its company data sheet.