Amazon is preparing to reduce its corporate workforce by as many as 30,000 jobs starting this week, marking the company’s largest round of layoffs since late 2022. The move affects roughly 10 % of Amazon’s 350,000 strong corporate staff, while its total global workforce stands at about 1.55 million.
Why the Cuts
- The layoffs align with CEO Andy Jassy’s ongoing effort to streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy and boost efficiency. Amazon said the cuts are a response to over hiring during the pandemic and part of a long term shift toward automation and artificial intelligence (AI) driven productivity.
- Divisions most affected include Human Resources (People Experience & Technology), Devices & Services, Operations, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Impact & Reactions
- Although 30,000 jobs is a large number, the cuts are limited to corporate ranks and do not directly affect front line warehouse or delivery workers.
- Despite the layoffs, Amazon will continue seasonal hiring, planning to recruit 250,000 temporary workers for the holiday period.
Industry analysts believe the move will reshape Amazon’s internal structure reducing management layers and aligning its workforce with new roles focused on AI and automation. - However, some employees have expressed concern about morale, job security, and the fairness of severance packages.
What to Watch Next
- Details on internal reassignments, severance offers and career transition support.
- Whether Amazon completes the full 30,000 person reduction or scales it down.
- Impact on Amazon’s innovation capacity and investor confidence.
- Broader ripple effects across the global tech industry as major firms may follow Amazon’s restructuring trend.
