October marked worst month for layoffs

(CNN)– There were a lot of pink slips handed out last month.

The number of U.S. layoffs announced in October rocketed upward by more than 153,000.

The report from employer outplacement services company Challenger, Gray and Christmas finds that’s an increase of 175% from October of last year.

It’s also the biggest jump in that month in more than two decades.

The company notes what it says is “disruptive technology”, notably artificial intelligence that’s changing the employment landscape.