Amazon is preparing for its largest-ever reduction of corporate staff, with plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs starting Tuesday, October 28.
The redundancies are part of a strategy to improve efficiency and reduce costs, focusing on departments such as human resources, operations, and devices and services. This move would impact roughly 10% of Amazon’s current corporate workforce, which total approximately 350,000 employees.
The layoffs have been driven by CEO Andy Jassy’s ongoing restructuring efforts, emphasising the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to streamline operations.
Since 2022, Amazon has already cut more than 27,000 jobs, and these new layoffs mark a significant escalation. Managers across affected units have been trained to deliver the news, with employees notified via email and offered severance packages, including full pay and benefits for 90 days. The cuts will affect regions including the U.S., UK, and Canada.
This widespread downsizing reflects industry trends where many tech firms are reducing staff, citing overhiring during the pandemic and increased automation. Companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Intel have also announced substantial layoffs this year. The overall trend displays a shift toward greater reliance on AI, with Amazon’s move seen as part of efforts to optimise costs through technological advancements.
Despite the workforce reductions, Amazon plans to hire approximately 250,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday period, balancing downsizing with operational needs.