Western Digital layoffs, on the record
Every job cut, severance charge and restructuring Western Digital reported in its annual reports, 2024 to 2026, quoted from the filings. Headcount went from approximately 51,000 to approximately 40,000.
Headcount, as reported
| Annual report | Employees | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 10-K for 2024 | approximately 51,000 | end of 2024 |
| 10-K for 2025 | approximately 40,000 | end of 2025 |
| 10-K for 2026 | approximately 40,000 | the end of 2026 |
Job cuts, severance and restructuring
Our summaryWestern Digital reported a reduction in R&D compensation and benefits expense attributed to lower headcount, and noted fewer restructuring actions in the current period for employee termination, asset impairment and other costs.
Word for word“Employee termination, asset impairment, and other decreased $54 million or 28% in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting fewer restructuring actions taken in the current period and a gain on the sale-leaseback of our Milpitas, California facility, partially offset by higher contract termination charges and asset impairments caused by project cancellations.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryCost saving measures, restructurings and divestitures have resulted in workforce reduction and consolidation of manufacturing or other facilities, and the company has experienced and may experience loss of continuity and disruptions.
Word for word“Cost saving measures, restructurings and divestitures have had and may in the future result in workforce reduction and consolidation of our manufacturing or other facilities.” 10-K for 2025
| Fiscal year ended | Restructuring charges |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-01 | $299 million |
| 2018-06-29 | $198 million |
| 2019-06-28 | $166 million |
| 2020-07-03 | $49 million |
| 2021-07-02 | $28 million |
| 2022-07-01 | $50 million |
Western Digital filed 1 restructuring notice (Form 8-K, Item 2.05) since 2016. This page shows what the company reported to the SEC, not news reports or state layoff notices.
Read from Western Digital’s annual reports (10-K for 2026, 10-K for 2025, 10-K for 2024) and the financial data it files with the SEC, as of 2026-08-14. 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.