The looming standstill in the U.S. economy has intimidated private sectors into cutting operating costs by handing out pink slips -- thousands of them.

In July, the number of job cuts increased by 60.3% -- approximately 66,414 jobs -- compared to the previous month, according to a report from consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Many of the massive workforce downsizing came from sectors who endured fairly well in the past.



Here are 14 companies contributing the most to the unemployment rate.

