Laid Off in Memphis? Where to Get Help as 2026 Layoffs Pile Up

MEMPHIS, TN — Layoffs in Memphis have come in waves this year, from distribution centers to a cereal plant and a hospital system, and Shelby County has lost more jobs in 2026 than any other county in Tennessee, according to the state labor department. If your name was on one of those lists, the help is free, it's local, and most of it sits under one roof at Crosstown Concourse in Midtown.

File for unemployment the week your job ends, get to the American Job Center, and get back in front of employers. Here's how to do all three in Memphis.

Need work now? Skip straight to the Memphis job links →

How Big the 2026 Memphis Layoffs Are

Big enough that the numbers have already lapped last year. FOX13 Memphis added up the WARN notices filed with the state and counted 1,557 Shelby County workers affected in the first half of 2026, compared with 353 in the first half of 2025. Smaller layoffs that don't require a WARN notice aren't in that count.

The names are familiar. Reporting from FOX13 and Action News 5 lists Nike, GXO Logistics, WK Kellogg Co, IKEA, Regional One Health, JBS USA and PMC Biogenix among the employers that cut jobs in the region this year. By late August, the Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board told Action News 5 it had tracked roughly 2,500 layoffs across the area over the previous twelve months.

Step One: File for Unemployment Right Away

Tennessee runs unemployment claims online through Jobs4TN. You create an Unemployment Claimant e-Services account first, then choose "File for Unemployment." After you file, the state sends two letters: one showing what you could receive and one with its decision on your claim.

File the week your job ends; don't wait on severance talks. Once you're approved, the clock starts on job searching. The state's work search rules require four job searches every week unless you've been granted a waiver. Applications, interviews, reaching out to employers, resume help and searching on Jobs4TN all count. Keep a log of each one.

Step Two: Walk Into the American Job Center

The Memphis American Job Center is run under the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board and sits inside Crosstown Concourse at 1350 Concourse Avenue. Tennessee's job centers are open 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call (901) 707-8426 before you go to confirm the suite and whether you need an appointment.

What you can get there, at no cost:

Resume and interview help from staff who know which local employers are hiring.
Grant-funded training and certifications for adults and dislocated workers. Ask which credentials qualify before you pick a program.
Career assessments if you're thinking about switching fields rather than chasing the same job title.
Support services and financial coaching to help bridge the gap.

Step Three: Get Back in Front of Employers This Month

Memphis employers are still hiring, especially in health care and youth services. Several dated hiring events are coming up:

YMCA of Memphis, Saturday, October 24, and Saturday, November 7, for childcare and youth jobs. Details in our YMCA hiring events guide.
Youth Villages, Thursday, October 29, an interview day for counselor jobs. See our Youth Villages interview day breakdown.

Coming out of a warehouse? Forklift, inventory and safety experience carries over into manufacturing and hospital supply chains, so widen the search before you lower your sights.

🔎 Memphis Jobs to Search After a Layoff

Make the four weekly searches count. These cover sectors still adding people, from the Medical District to the Airways corridor.

Start here:

Memphis Layoff Questions, Answered

How do I file for unemployment in Memphis?

Online through Jobs4TN, the state's job and claims portal. Create a claimant account first, then file.

How many job searches does Tennessee require?

Four per week, unless the state has waived the requirement for you. Applications, interviews, employer contacts and resume help on Jobs4TN all count.

Where is the American Job Center in Memphis?

Inside Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Avenue in Midtown. Call (901) 707-8426 to confirm the suite and hours before you go.

Can I get paid training after a layoff?

Possibly. The American Job Center offers grant-funded training and certifications for dislocated workers. Eligibility depends on your situation, so ask about it on your first visit.

Get Back to Work in Memphis

Create your free LocalJobPage account to save searches and get new Memphis openings as they post, and browse the Career Center for guides by field.

Employers: hiring in Shelby County? Experienced workers are on the market right now. Post your openings on LocalJobPage and reach them first.