The U.S. economy is generally in pretty good shape. Despite that, some companies may be looking to reduce their staff in the coming months for different reasons. And it's important to recognize the signs that they may be coming, so you know to prepare. If these signs apply to your place of work, a round of layoffs may be right around the corner.

1. Projects are suddenly being paused

If your company enthusiastically introduced new projects at the start of the year that are suddenly being paused for no specific reason, management might be trying to conserve cash. That could mean that layoffs are next.

That said, if specific projects are being paused for a reason, there may not be a need to panic. But when there's a big disruption without explanation, you need to be on alert.

2. Business travel is being put on hold

Some companies regularly send employees on business trips or to conferences. If that's been the practice at your place of work, but suddenly your employer is refusing to spend any money on business travel, perhaps it's trying to cut spending due to financial issues. Those same financial issues could lead to layoffs.

However, keep in mind that some companies are making less room for travel in their budgets these days given how easy it's become to conduct remote meetings. So if your company has been paying for less travel since the pandemic, that's different from a sudden hold on business trips.

3. Small perks are going away

Maybe your company break room is usually well-stocked with granola bars and sports drinks. Or maybe your company usually springs for a team lunch once a month as a thank you for a job well done.

If small perks like these are suddenly disappearing, it could once again be a sign that your company needs to trim its spending. And that could mean layoffs are coming.

Preparing for a layoff

There may not be much you can do to save your job if your company is gearing up for layoffs (though boosting your skills and generally having a good attitude can help). But there are some steps you can take to prepare.

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