Texans Face the Highest Job Loss Anxiety in America

Have you experienced job loss-related anxiety lately? Sadly, a shocking number of Texans have. In fact, Texas leads the nation in percentage of job loss-related Google searches.

The Emotional Toll of Layoff Fears

I would imagine we’ve all been there at some point. You start to see folks being laid off around you and begin to wonder if you’ll be next. As much as it sucks, good employees being let go when the company is in hard times is the cost of doing business.

Download the KBZS Mobile App Now

READ NEXT: Report Names Two Texas Cities Among Worst for Dirty Hotels

Why Being Proactive Matters in Uncertain Times

The thing is that smart people don’t just wait around and hope for the best. It’s always in your best interest to be proactive in life, in general, but especially so when it comes to your livelihood. I can’t blame anyone for putting their feelers out there about potential part-time employment, a profitable side hustle, or even a career change when they see their employer making cuts.

New Study Highlights Texas Job Anxiety

Apparently, that’s the case for many Texans, according to a study by Southeastern Oklahoma State University. It’s not exactly clear what’s driving so much job loss-related anxiety here in the Lone Star State in particular, but the biggest career-related fears nationwide are layoffs, industry downsizing, poor leadership/management, AI/automation replacing my role, and lack of relevant skills.

Top Ten Colleges in Texas for 2025-2026Every year, Niche ranks the best Universities in America and if you want to stay in Texas. Here are the top ten best in the state. Gallery Credit: Stryker Getty Images10. Baylor UniversityWACO, TX – OCTOBER 04: The Baylor Bears logo before a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on October 4, 2008 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Facebook9. University of Texas-TylerThe University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) is a public research university in Tyler, Texas, United States. Founded in 1971, it is a part of the University of Texas System. Getty Images8. University of Houston PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 18: A detailed view of the “Jumpman” logo on a Houston Cougars jersey against the UAB Blazers during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) Getty Images7. Texas Tech UniversityLUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 14: The Texas Tech Red Raiders logo is displayed on the jumbotron during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on February 14, 2005 at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The Red Raiders defeated the Jayhawks 80-79. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty Images6. Southern Methodist UniversityDALLAS – JANUARY 23: A student walks on the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus January 23, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. Some faculty and students at SMU are worried that if U.S. President George W. Bush’s presidential library is based on their campus, his policies could be tied to the university. (Photo by Brian Harkin/Getty Images) Getty Images5. Texas Christian UniversityFORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 25: The Big XII logo on a pylon at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Facebook4. Trinity UniversityTrinity University is a private liberal arts college in San Antonio. It was founded as a coeducational institution in 1869 by Cumberland Presbyterians as the merger of three schools whose enrollment had dropped during the Civil War. Getty Images3. Texas A&M UniversityTRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA – JULY 17: The Texas A&M logo is shown on the bag of Johannes Veerman of the United States prior to the start of the Barracuda Championship at Tahoe Mountain Club’s Old Greenwood on July 17, 2024 in Truckee, California. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) Getty Images2. University of Texas-AustinAUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: A view of the Playoff First Round Game and Texas Longhorns logos prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) Getty Images1. Rice UniversityHOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 29: Students walk to class at Rice University on August 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. U.S. President Joe Biden has announced a three-part plan that will forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in federal student loan debt. Since announced, the plan has sparked controversy as critics have begun questioning its fairness, and addressing concerns over its impact on inflation. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) 10 of the Biggest New Laws in TexasMore than 800 new Texas laws are taking effect but these 10 stand out. From schools and taxes to housing and healthcare, here’s what will impact you most. Gallery Credit: Canva CanvaSchool Cellphone BanTexas classrooms are cracking down. Students can no longer use cellphones during class time, part of a statewide effort to limit distractions.
CanvaSchool Voucher ProgramParents will soon be able to use public tax dollars for private school tuition and education expenses, though the program won’t officially launch until 2026.
CanvaTen Commandments in ClassroomsAll public school classrooms are required to display donated Ten Commandments posters; though the law is already facing legal challenges.
CanvaMedical Marijuana ExpansionTexas’ medical marijuana program now includes patients with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and Crohn’s disease, and allows inhalation products. CanvaTeacher Pay RaisesPublic schools are getting $8.5 billion in new funding, with more than $4 billion earmarked to boost teacher salaries.
CanvaBook Access and OversightParents and school boards now have greater power to decide what books are allowed in school libraries, sparking concerns about censorship.
CanvaExpanded Crisis Training for SchoolsPolice and schools must now meet yearly to update active shooter response plans, with stricter training and reporting requirements.
CanvaWater Infrastructure FundTexas will begin a multi-billion-dollar effort to fix its looming water crisis, with voters set to decide on long-term funding in November.
CanvaAffordable HousingCities can no longer require single-family homes in new subdivisions to sit on large lots, making it easier to build smaller, cheaper houses. CanvaProperty Tax CutsBillions are being set aside to reduce property taxes across the state, giving some relief to homeowners.
These Are the Dirtiest Cities in Texas for 2025Lawnstarter just broke down the dirtiest cities in America. They looked at things like pollution, inadequate living conditions, inadequate waste infrastructure, and resident dissatisfaction. The dirtiest city in America is San Bernardino, California with a score of 55.34. Let’s see who is the dirtiest in the Lonestar State. Gallery Credit: Stryker Getty Images10. Austin, Texas Dirty Score of 35.40AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 18: An unhoused resident sleeps in an alleyway near his cleaning supplies on December 18, 2023 in Austin, Texas. The federal government has reported an increase in homelessness nationwide across all household types. Homelessness has increased 12 percent from 2022, roughly equating to more than 70,000 people. People identifying as African Americans, or Black, and Indigenous groups continue to be among those experiencing homelessness in the greatest numbers, with people identifying as Asian Americans, or Asians having the greatest percentage increase. Among the list, those identifying as Hispanics or Latin(a)(o)(x) experienced the largest numerical increase, equating to over 39,000 people from the year prior. Speaking on the increase, the head of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness said “The most significant causes are the shortage of affordable homes and the high cost of housing.” (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Getty Images9. McAllen, Texas Dirty Score of 36.85MCALLEN, TX – MAY 20: The Rio Grande stretches westward, forming the border between Reynosa, Mexico (L), and the United States on May 20, 2013 near McAllen, Texas. The Rio Grande Valley area has become the busiest sector for illegal immigration on the entire U.S.-Mexico border with more than a 50 percent increase in the last year. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) 8. Corpus Christi, Texas Dirty Score of 37.53CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – AUGUST 25: An oil refinery is seen before the arrival of Hurricane Harvey on August 25, 2017 in Corpus Christi, Texas. As Hurricane Harvey comes ashore many of the countries oil refineries are in its path and have had to shut down. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Getty Images7. El Paso, Texas Dirty Score of 39.35EL PASO, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 18: From an aerial view the Rio Grande (R) and a canal flow along the U.S.-Mexico border on September 18, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. Immigrant border crossings remain low months after the Biden Administration’s executive order banning most asylum claims at the southern border. The issues of asylum and illegal immigration remain motivating topics for voters ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Getty Images6. Fort Worth, Texas Dirty Score of 39.61FORT WORTH, TX FEBRUARY 28 – Dirt track driver Jay Noteboom smokes a cigarette while watching a Modified Qualifier heat race February 28, 2009 during the Texas World Dirt Track Championship at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. (Photo By Tom Pennington/Getty Images for the Texas Motor Speedway) Getty Images5. San Antonio, Texas Dirty Score of 39.82SAN ANTONIO, TX – SEPTEMBER 19: A group of migrants eat lunch in the shade outside the Migrant Resource Center on September 19, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. The City of San Antonio Migrant Resource Center is the origin place of two planeloads of mostly Venezuelan migrants who were sent via Florida to Marthas Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron Desantis. (Photo by Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images) Getty Images4. Beamont, Texas Dirty Score of 42.04BEAUMONT, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: A flame from a petroleum refinery shines through the gloom at the Port of Beaumont as Hurricane Rita approaches September 23, 2005 in Beaumont, Texas. Hurricane Rita, which has been downgraded to Category 3, is expected to make landfall early morning September 24 near the Texas and Louisiana border. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) Getty Images3. Brownsville, Texas Dirty Score of 42.93BROWNSVILLE, TX – JUNE 22: A homeless man looks for food in the garbage along a street in downtown Brownsville, a border city which has become dependent on the daily crossing into and out of Mexico on June 22, 2018 in Brownsville, Texas. Currently over 32% of residents in Brownsville live in poverty, one of the highest rates in the nation. Immigration has once again been put in the spotlight as Democrats and Republicans spar over the detention of children and families seeking asylum at the border. Before President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that halts the practice of separating families who were seeking asylum, over 2,300 immigrant children had been separated from their parents in the zero-tolerance policy for border crossers. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images2. Baytown, Texas Dirty Score of 43.39BAYTOWN, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: A security vehicle sits outside an Exxon/Mobil refinery before Hurricane Rita was expected to make landfall September 23, 2005 in Baytown, Texas. Hurricane Rita is expected to hit the Texas coast near Baytown early morning on September 24. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images1. Houston, Texas Dirty Score of 44.07HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 14: An aerial view of smoke from the LyondellBasell Houston refinery on June 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The International Energy Agency is predicting a major surplus of oil by the end of the decade as production continues rising and demand declines. The decline is in part due to the switch from gasoline to electric vehicles and renewable energy. The agency has reported that the world’s oil production is expected to increase to approximately 114 million barrels per day by 2030. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)