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Elevate Magazine
January 30, 2025

Amazon Cuts Jobs in Communications, Sustainability

amazon cuts jobs in communications, sustainability
Photo source: FMT

Amazon is undergoing a restructuring process that involves the elimination of a limited number of positions within its communications and sustainability departments.

The decision was communicated internally by Drew Herdener, who leads Amazon’s public relations and corporate responsibility divisions. Herdener explained that the layoffs are part of an evaluation of the organisational structure within these units.

He noted that certain roles were identified as being too specialised or introducing unnecessary complexity, which could not be resolved by simplifying the structure or reallocating responsibilities. As a result, Amazon is reducing the number of roles in these areas to better align with its business objectives.

Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser confirmed the layoffs and stated that these changes are intended to improve speed, increase ownership, strengthen company culture, and bring teams closer to customers. The company has previously cut over 27,000 jobs in 2022 and 2023 as part of its strategy to control costs. Smaller rounds of layoffs have continued into 2024 and 2025.

Herdener mentioned that Amazon may rehire some employees for lower-level positions or redistribute staff to other areas within the organisation. The company is committed to providing financial support, ongoing benefits, and job placement assistance to those affected by the layoffs.

Amazon has also been winding down some of its less successful or experimental projects, such as a “Try Before You Buy” clothing service and a rapid delivery service in physical stores. The company is streamlining its communications and sustainability divisions after significant growth in recent years. Herdener’s role has expanded to include overseeing corporate responsibility, which encompasses the sustainability group.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon experienced a hiring surge, adding staff to its corporate workforce and numerous warehouses across the U.S. This expansion resulted in a global workforce exceeding 1.6 million by the end of 2021. As of the end of the third quarter of 2024, Amazon employed over 1.5 million people.

Additionally, Amazon is making adjustments to its “hub strategy,” which determines the primary office locations for teams. The aim is to have more team members working in the same physical location as their colleagues and managers. Herdener has delegated the decision on which locations are most suitable for each team to his direct reports.

Earlier this month, Amazon began requiring corporate employees to work five days a week in the office as part of its return-to-office policy. Some employees were asked to relocate to different states to comply with this mandate, leading several to choose resignation over relocation.