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⚠️ Active Layoffs — Updated July 2026
Warner Bros. Discovery Layoffs 2026: Severance, WARN Act & What to Do Now
Warner Bros. Discovery has cut more than 10,000 jobs since the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger in 2022 as the company restructures its combined debt load and streaming strategy. Here is what affected employees need to know.
✓ Based on WARN Act filings, reported severance terms, and 2026 employment attorney guidance — Updated July 2026
Jobs Cut
10,000+
Apr 2022 – Jun 2026
Severance
2 wks/yr
Min 4 weeks
WARN Act Filed
Yes
NY, CA, GA
COBRA Coverage
3 months paid
Health insurance help
OWBPA Applies
If 40+
21 days to review
⚠️ WARN Act Status — Warner Bros. Discovery
WBD filed WARN notices in New York (primary office), California (Burbank), and Georgia (Atlanta, CNN operations). The merger-related restructuring generated some of the largest entertainment industry WARN filings of the decade.
🛡️ If You Are 40 or Older — Federal Law Gives You Time
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act gives workers 40 and older at least 21 days to review any severance agreement, and 45 days if this was a group layoff. You also have 7 days to revoke after signing. Warner Bros. Discovery cannot legally require you to sign immediately.
Calculate Your Financial Runway After a Warner Bros. Discovery Layoff
Enter your severance weeks, savings, location, and expenses. Get your month-by-month survival timeline — and see exactly what to do next.
Open Warner Bros. Discovery Layoff Calculator →
Warner Bros. Discovery 2026 Severance Package: Reported Terms
WBD's reported severance is 2 weeks per year of service with a minimum of 4 weeks for corporate employees. The company has paid 3 months of COBRA premiums in recent rounds. Legacy HBO and WarnerMedia employees may have had enhanced packages from pre-merger agreements.
| Component | Corporate / Salaried | Hourly / Ops |
|---|
| Base severance formula | 2 weeks per year of service | Per CBA (guild members) |
| Minimum severance | 4 weeks | Per CBA terms |
| Maximum reported | ~20 weeks | Per CBA terms |
| COBRA coverage | 3 months premiums paid | Per CBA terms |
| RSU treatment | Unvested RSUs forfeited | N/A |
| PTO payout | Accrued PTO paid out | Per CBA/state law |
RSU and equity situation
WBD equity has been volatile following the merger. RSUs and stock options vest under standard schedules but the stock's performance since 2022 has significantly reduced their value for many employees. Price unvested shares at current market before evaluating.
Your Timeline After a Warner Bros. Discovery Layoff
1
Day 1: Check for legacy contract termsFormer HBO or WarnerMedia employees may have pre-merger employment agreements with enhanced terms. Review any existing contracts.
2
Day 1: File for New York unemploymentFile at labor.ny.gov. New York pays up to $504/week for 26 weeks with a 1-week waiting period.
3
Within 3 months: Health insurance planningWBD covers 3 months of COBRA. ACA marketplace plans may be cheaper after this period.
4
Before signing: Check stock value realisticallyWBD stock has declined significantly since the merger. Calculate unvested share value at current market, not grant-date price.
5
Before signing: Non-disparagement scopeWBD's separation agreements include broad non-disparagement clauses relevant to media and entertainment roles.
Other Company Layoff Guides
Severance terms based on reported employee outcomes, WARN Act public filings, and employment attorney guidance as of July 2026. Individual packages vary significantly. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. If you have a specific legal question, consult a licensed employment attorney in your state.