Nike Layoffs 2026: What to Do If You Were Laid Off

Nike announced in January 2026 that it will lay off 775 employees, primarily at its distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi. The company says the cuts are designed to "strengthen and streamline" operations as it accelerates automation and consolidates its supply chain footprint. This is the third consecutive year Nike has announced significant workforce reductions.

If you were laid off from Nike, you may be dealing with shock, uncertainty, and urgent questions about money, healthcare, and what comes next. This guide walks through what the layoffs mean, what to do in your first 72 hours, and how to turn a forced transition into your next opportunity.

Quick Facts About the Nike Layoffs

Nike is cutting 775 jobs at its U.S. distribution centers as part of what the company calls its "Win Now" strategy. The layoffs primarily affect warehouse and fulfillment roles in Tennessee and Mississippi, where Nike operates major distribution hubs. Five of Nike's eight distribution centers are located in the Memphis area, making it one of the company's largest employment centers.

The company says the cuts are intended to reduce complexity, improve flexibility, and build a more responsive supply chain. Nike is accelerating its use of advanced technology and automation at these facilities, a trend that has affected distribution jobs across corporate America. UPS announced plans to cut 48,000 roles in 2025, partly due to increased automation at its facilities.

Context: Nike's multi-year restructuring

This is the third year in a row that Nike has cut jobs:

• February 2024: Nike announced it would cut 2% of its workforce, about 1,600 roles, as part of a $2 billion cost-savings plan. Those cuts focused on corporate staff and did not affect distribution centers.
• August 2025: Nike cut approximately 1,000 corporate jobs under new CEO Elliott Hill as part of a company realignment around sports-specific categories.
• January 2026: Nike is cutting 775 distribution center jobs as it consolidates operations and accelerates automation.

The layoffs come as CEO Elliott Hill works to turn around Nike following years of slowing sales and shrinking margins. The company reported a 32% drop in net profit in its most recent quarterly results, affected by tariffs, restructuring costs, and slowing demand in China.

What's still unknown

Nike has not disclosed a detailed timeline for the layoffs, which specific facilities are affected, or how many total workers it employs at U.S. distribution centers. If you are affected, rely on your termination letter, HR contacts, and any official company communications for specifics about your situation rather than news reports.

First 72 Hours After a Nike Layoff

The first few days after losing your job are about securing what you need and giving yourself space to process. Resist the urge to make major decisions immediately. Instead, focus on the practical tasks that protect your interests.

Confirm your status in writing

Make sure you have clear documentation of your employment status. Save all HR emails, termination letters, and any official communications in a safe folder outside your Nike email, which you will likely lose access to soon.

If anything is unclear about whether you have been terminated, offered redeployment to another role, or placed on reduced hours, ask your manager or HR representative to confirm in writing.

Clarify your final pay and benefits

Review your final paycheck and understand what you are owed:

• Last paycheck date: Confirm when your final pay will be deposited and what it includes.
• Unused vacation payout: In most states, employers must pay out accrued but unused vacation time. Check your state's requirements and your company policy.
• Bonuses and commissions: If you were expecting a bonus or commission, clarify whether any portion will be paid and under what conditions.
• Stock and equity: If you received Nike stock options or RSUs, check your vesting dates, exercise windows after termination, and tax implications. Nike employees with unvested equity should review their stock plan documents carefully.

Review your severance package

If Nike offers a severance package, read all documents carefully before signing. Pay attention to:

• Pay duration: How many weeks or months of pay are offered, and how it will be paid (lump sum versus salary continuance)
• Health benefits continuation: How long your current coverage extends and what options you have (COBRA or similar)
• Non-compete and non-solicit clauses: Any restrictions on where you can work or who you can contact after leaving
• Conditions for payment: Requirements you must meet to receive severance, such as signing a release of claims

Consider independent advice

If you suspect discrimination, wrongful termination, or if your severance terms seem unfair compared to what you expected, consult an employment lawyer before signing anything. Many employment attorneys offer free initial consultations and can advise whether your situation warrants further review.

If you're on a work visa

If you are working in the United States on an H-1B or other work visa, you typically have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer your visa, or change status. This timeline is strict. Consider speaking with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to understand your options and deadlines.

Income, Unemployment, and Health Benefits

You do not have to wait for your severance to end before stabilizing your financial situation. Understanding your options for unemployment benefits, healthcare coverage, and financial planning helps you make informed decisions.

Apply for unemployment benefits

Rules vary by state, but the general approach is similar across the U.S.:

Tennessee: Apply for unemployment benefits through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development at jobs4tn.gov. You will need your Social Security number, employment history, and information about your severance.

Mississippi: Apply through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security at mdes.ms.gov. Have your employment dates, earnings information, and reason for separation ready.

In most states, you can apply as soon as your employment ends. There may be a waiting period before benefits begin, and receiving severance may affect the timing of your benefits. Check your state's specific rules about how severance interacts with unemployment eligibility.

Understand your health coverage options

When your Nike employment ends, you typically have several options for health coverage:

• COBRA: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act allows you to continue your employer-sponsored health coverage for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium plus an administrative fee. This is often expensive but provides continuity of coverage.
• Marketplace plans: You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period on the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) when you lose job-based coverage. This allows you to shop for plans that may be more affordable than COBRA, especially if you qualify for subsidies.
• Spousal or family plans: If your spouse or partner has employer-sponsored coverage, losing your job typically qualifies you for enrollment outside the normal open enrollment period.
• Medicaid: Depending on your income and family situation, you may qualify for Medicaid coverage in your state.

Confirm exactly when your Nike health benefits end and make coverage decisions before that date to avoid any gap.

Stock options and equity considerations

If you received Nike stock options or RSUs, your termination triggers important deadlines:

• Vesting: Unvested shares typically do not vest upon termination. Review your grant agreements to confirm what you keep and what you lose.
• Exercise window: If you have vested stock options, you typically have a limited window (often 90 days) to exercise them after your last day of employment. Missing this deadline means forfeiting those options.
• Tax implications: Exercising options or receiving RSU payouts has tax consequences. Consult a tax professional before making decisions, especially if the amounts are significant.

How to Talk About the Nike Layoffs on Your Resume and LinkedIn

Mass layoffs at large, well-known companies are widely understood by hiring managers and recruiters. You do not need to over-explain or apologize for being part of a restructuring.

Resume approach

Use a neutral, factual end date for your Nike role. You do not need to label it as "laid off" on your resume. Focus your bullet points on what you accomplished, not why you left.

Structure your Nike experience with quantifiable outcomes:

• Revenue or cost impact where applicable
• Process improvements and efficiency gains
• Volume handled, accuracy rates, or productivity metrics
• Cross-functional projects and team leadership
• Safety record and compliance achievements

Avoid copying internal Nike performance language or jargon. Translate your experience into market-friendly terms that recruiters outside Nike will understand.

LinkedIn approach

Update your LinkedIn headline to signal both your expertise and that you are open to new opportunities:

"Distribution Operations Leader | Supply Chain & Logistics | Open to New Opportunities"

"Warehouse Supervisor | Fulfillment & Inventory Management | Seeking Next Role"

In your About section, briefly acknowledge the layoff and pivot to your strengths:

"After [X] years at Nike's distribution operations, my role was eliminated as part of the company's 2026 supply chain consolidation. I'm proud of the work I did improving [specific achievement]. I'm now exploring opportunities where I can apply my experience in operations, logistics, and team leadership."

For detailed guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn presence, see our guide on how to optimize your LinkedIn profile using your resume.

How to explain the layoff in interviews

Keep your explanation short, factual, and neutral:

"Nike announced a supply chain consolidation in January 2026, accelerating automation at their distribution centers. My role was part of that restructuring. I'm proud of what I accomplished there, especially [brief highlight]. I'm now looking for roles where I can bring that experience to [target area]."

Then redirect to your skills, accomplishments, and what you bring to the role you are discussing.

Target Roles After Nike: How to Reposition Your Experience

Nike distribution center experience translates well to a wide range of operations, logistics, and supply chain roles across industries. The key is framing your experience in terms that resonate outside of footwear and apparel.

Map Nike skills to external job titles

Depending on your role at Nike, target positions might include:

• Operations and logistics: Warehouse supervisor, distribution center manager, logistics coordinator, shipping and receiving lead, inventory control specialist
• Supply chain: Supply chain analyst, demand planner, procurement coordinator, fulfillment manager, operations analyst
• Quality and process: Quality assurance specialist, continuous improvement lead, process engineer, lean operations specialist
• Leadership: Operations manager, shift supervisor, team lead, area manager, regional logistics coordinator

Industries where your experience applies

Nike distribution experience is valued across many sectors:

• E-commerce and retail: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and other large retailers with distribution networks
• Third-party logistics (3PL): FedEx, UPS, XPO Logistics, DHL, and regional logistics providers
• Consumer goods: Food and beverage, household products, and other consumer packaged goods companies
• Manufacturing: Production facilities that combine manufacturing and distribution operations
• Healthcare logistics: Medical device and pharmaceutical distribution, hospital supply chain

Translate Nike tools and terminology

When writing your resume and talking to recruiters, translate Nike-specific systems and acronyms into generic equivalents:

• WMS (Warehouse Management System): Highlight experience with warehouse management software generally, not just Nike's specific system
• TMS (Transportation Management System): Emphasize logistics planning and carrier management
• ERP systems: Note experience with enterprise systems and data-driven decision making
• Automation systems: Describe experience with conveyor systems, sorting equipment, and robotics

Emphasize transferable skills: process improvement, team leadership, safety management, inventory accuracy, and working under pressure in high-volume environments.

Using Yotru to Rebuild Your Resume After a Layoff

If translating your Nike experience into clear, employer-ready resumes feels overwhelming, Yotru's resume builder is designed to help with exactly this task.

How Yotru helps Nike employees

• Translate responsibilities into impact: Yotru helps you turn Nike job descriptions into achievement-focused bullets with metrics that resonate with hiring managers outside Nike.
• Match keywords to job descriptions: The system suggests role-specific keywords and skills aligned to your target positions, whether you are pursuing operations, logistics, or leadership roles.
• Create multiple versions: Build different resume versions for different career paths, such as operations management versus supply chain analysis versus warehouse supervision.
• ATS optimization: Yotru creates resumes that pass through applicant tracking systems and get seen by recruiters.

Getting started

The process is straightforward:

• Import your existing resume
• Select one or two target roles you are pursuing
• Let Yotru draft tailored versions
• Refine the language to match your voice and preferences

Build your next resume with Yotru. Turn your Nike experience into a clear, ATS-ready story that recruiters understand in seconds.

Coping, Community, and What Comes Next

Layoffs affect more than your paycheck. They disrupt routines, professional identity, and relationships built over years. Finding support and staying connected makes a meaningful difference during this transition.

Normalize the experience

Multiple rounds of layoffs at large companies like Nike reflect structural industry changes, not individual performance issues. Automation is transforming distribution and logistics jobs across corporate America. Being part of a workforce reduction does not mean you did anything wrong.

Connect with your network

Reach out to former Nike colleagues who may have leads or connections at other companies. Join local logistics and operations communities in Tennessee, Mississippi, or wherever you are located. Let your network know you are open to opportunities and be specific about the types of roles you are seeking.

A simple outreach message:

"I was recently impacted by Nike's January 2026 distribution center consolidation. I'm looking for roles in [operations/logistics/warehouse management] at [types of companies]. If you hear of anything relevant or can recommend people I should talk to, I'd appreciate it."

Set a 30-60-90 day plan

Structure helps during uncertain times. Consider organizing your transition in phases:

• Weeks 1-2: Handle administrative tasks. File for unemployment, review severance, secure health coverage, update your resume.
• Weeks 3-4: Begin active job searching. Apply to target roles, reach out to your network, set up job alerts.
• Ongoing: Continue applications, pursue any upskilling or certifications that would strengthen your candidacy, and stay connected with your support network.

Free and low-cost resources

Many resources are available to support your job search:

• State workforce development programs: Tennessee and Mississippi both offer career services, job search assistance, and training programs for displaced workers
• American Job Centers: Local offices provide free job search support, resume help, and connections to employers
• Online courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and edX offer free or low-cost courses in logistics, supply chain management, and related fields
• Community colleges: Local community colleges often have workforce development programs and certifications relevant to distribution and operations careers