The job market may still look “strong” on paper, but every day, Americans are painting a very different picture.
One Reddit user summed it up simply: “249,000 people applying for unemployment in just the last month. Are we heading toward a recession? I saw this online, and it’s extremely sad that we’re here. I keep seeing it over and over, people all over the U.S. are losing their jobs. It’s complete and utter madness.”
That post came from a thread in r/jobs, which exploded with thousands of comments from users across industries and states, all sharing a growing sense that something is very wrong.
247,000 Jobless Claims in a Week
In the last week of May, 247,000 people filed for unemployment. That’s 8,000 more than the week before and the highest four-week average since October 2024.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, some states like California, Ohio, and Illinois saw big spikes in claims.
Most of those increases came from layoffs in manufacturing, trade, and service jobs.
For many online, the numbers simply confirmed what they were already living through.
One person wrote, “I was laid off back in October, and so were hundreds from that company. My brother is facing a possible job loss as well; his company is being bought out.”
Another added, “About to lose mine. A shutdown at work just happened and two more are coming.”
A “Real People Recession”
While official unemployment remains relatively low, many commenters said the numbers don’t reflect the reality they’re experiencing.
“We are in a real people recession,” one person wrote. “The stock market is propped up by a handful of tech companies.”
“Fast food is a luxury for the working poor now,” another said, lamenting the skyrocketing cost of living and widespread corporate layoffs.
Many also questioned how employment is measured at all, criticizing how part-time or gig work gets counted equally with full-time employment.
“The Fed likes to use quantity of jobs over quality, even if it means everyone is a part-time DoorDash driver.”
Blame Falls on Both Sides
Frustration didn’t fall along neat political lines. Some blamed Trump-era tariffs, others pointed to Biden-era layoffs and federal cuts.
Still others said both parties have abandoned working-class Americans in favor of corporate donors and political optics.
“Companies are freezing hiring and investments due to tariffs and an unstable government,” one person wrote.
Another said, “The government’s been fudging the numbers to look good. It doesn’t matter who’s been at the top.”
Younger Americans Feel Locked Out
Many under 35 said they’re completely priced out of home ownership, meaningful savings, or even basic stability.
“Most younger people that don’t come from upper middle class homes are unable to afford homes and ‘toys,’” one person said, adding that a 401(k) or decent healthcare feels like a fantasy.
Others described watching parents and grandparents hang on while they themselves drown in debt, working multiple jobs to scrape by.
“We’ve Been in One for Years”
While some commenters debated the official definition of a recession, most agreed that whatever you call it, the pain is already here.
“We’ve been in a jobs recession since Q4 of ’22. Where have you been?” one asked.
“Just wait for all the government workers’ severance to run out,” another warned.
“It’s about to get ugly.”
A Broken Middle
User after user echoed the same feeling: the middle class is being hollowed out, and there’s almost no way back in.
“Now, there’s just the very well off and the working poor,” one person said. “Very, very few people in between.”
Whether or not economists officially declare a recession, the American workforce has already made up its mind.
The question isn’t if the crisis is coming. It’s how long it will be ignored.