Amazon confirms 16,000 layoffs across divisions as part of ongoing restructuring

UNITED STATES: Amazon has confirmed that it will cut approximately 16,000 corporate roles across several business units, as part of a broad restructuring plan focused on operational efficiency and artificial intelligence integration.

The news was shared in a blog post on 28 January 2026 by Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, who noted that while many teams completed their restructuring in 2025, some had finalised changes only recently.

“These decisions are difficult, and we’re working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted,” Galetti wrote. The affected employees span multiple divisions, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, human resources, and the company’s retail operations.

The reductions are part of a plan first outlined in October 2025, when Amazon aimed to reduce its corporate workforce by around 30,000. At that time, approximately 14,000 jobs were cut, and Galetti signalled that further layoffs could be expected.

While Amazon is reducing roles in certain areas, Galetti emphasised that the company continues to hire in strategic functions and invest in long-term growth. “We’re still in the early stages of building every one of our businesses and there’s significant opportunity ahead,” she said.

The current round of layoffs also includes employees in Amazon Fresh grocery and Go market divisions. These cuts follow a decision to shut some physical stores and convert others into Whole Foods locations. The company has not disclosed how many roles will be affected in this specific unit.

The total 30,000 roles identified for reduction represent nearly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce, but a small fraction of its global employee base, which stands at 1.58 million.

In a logistical misstep, some AWS employees were mistakenly informed of the layoffs before the official announcement.

According to Reuters, an internal email from Colleen Aubrey, Senior Vice President of Applied AI Solutions, was prematurely sent on 27 January. The email referred to the cuts as “Project Dawn” and stated, in error, that affected staff in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica had already been notified. A scheduled meeting to address the layoffs was quickly cancelled.

The reference email also mentioned a blog post by Galetti, which had not yet been published at the time. Amazon did not immediately comment on the internal communication error.

To support affected employees, Amazon will provide most US-based workers with a 90-day internal job search window. Those who do not find or choose not to seek another role within Amazon will receive severance packages, outplacement services, and health insurance assistance. Support for international employees will vary based on local requirements.

Galetti also addressed concerns that these waves of layoffs could become a recurring pattern. “That’s not our plan,” she wrote, while noting that ongoing evaluations across teams would continue in line with business and customer needs.

The job cuts have been closely tied to Amazon’s increasing use of artificial intelligence. The company has previously stated that AI adoption is playing a significant role in how roles are being assessed and restructured across departments.

Despite the current cuts, Amazon reiterated its commitment to future innovation. The company says it remains focused on speeding up decision-making and reducing unnecessary complexity across teams.