Amazon to Lay Off 14,000 Workers as Part of 30,000-Job Restructuring

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TL;DR

Amazon plans to lay off 14,000 employees to streamline operations and boost AI investment, part of a broader strategy affecting up to 30,000 jobs.

Key Points

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Amazon plans to lay off approximately 14,000 corporate employees, with a broader reduction of up to 30,000 jobs.

The company is shifting resources to invest more in AI, recognizing it as a transformative technology.

Affected employees will receive support, including severance and assistance in finding new roles within Amazon.

Amazon aims to operate more like a startup, with fewer layers and increased ownership.

Despite the layoffs, Amazon plans to continue hiring in key strategic areas.

Key Numbers

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14000

The number of corporate employees to be laid off.

30000

The maximum number of corporate job cuts planned.

10 %

The percentage of Amazon's corporate workforce affected by layoffs.

1.55 Million

The total number of employees at Amazon.

350000

The number of corporate employees at Amazon.

27000

The number of positions eliminated since late 2022.

90 days

The number of days affected employees have to look for a new role internally.

250000

The number of workers to be hired for the holiday season.

23 USD per hour

The average wage for regular full- and part-time employees.

19 USD per hour

The average wage for seasonal employees.

Organizations

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Amazon E-commerce and Technology Company

Amazon is implementing a strategy to lay off corporate employees and invest in artificial intelligence to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

Timeline of Events

Timeline of key events and milestones.

Late 2022 Amazon began eliminating positions

Amazon started reducing its workforce by around 27,000 positions.

2025-06-06 Amazon job cuts reported

Reuters reported Amazon's plan to cut as many as 30,000 corporate jobs.

2025-10 Amazon announced corporate layoffs

Amazon announced plans to lay off approximately 14,000 corporate employees as part of a broader strategy.

2025-10 Amazon announced holiday season hiring

Amazon announced hiring 250,000 workers for the holiday season across its fulfillment and transportation networks in the U.S.

2026 Amazon future hiring and efficiency plans

Amazon expects to continue hiring in key strategic areas while finding additional places to remove layers and increase efficiency.

Amazon is making some big moves, and not all of them are what you'd expect. They're planning to lay off about 14,000 corporate employees, which is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, the total number could climb to 30,000 according to Reuters, nearly 10% of their corporate workforce. Why such a drastic measure? Well, it's all about streamlining operations and diving deeper into artificial intelligence. Even though Amazon's been doing pretty well, they're not resting on their laurels. The tech landscape is changing fast, and AI is at the forefront, pushing companies to innovate quicker than ever.

Now, Amazon's not just swinging the axe without a plan. They believe that by cutting down on bureaucracy and creating a leaner structure, they'll be able to move faster and serve customers better. And for those employees who find themselves on the chopping block, Amazon's offering a safety net with severance pay, job placement help, and other transition services. But it's not all about cuts. They're still hiring in key areas, trying to strike a balance between trimming the fat and fueling growth.

And here's a twist: as the holiday season approaches, Amazon's ramping up its workforce in other areas. They're bringing on 250,000 workers across their fulfillment and transportation networks in the U.S. This hiring spree matches the levels of the past two years, with roles that offer competitive wages and benefits. So, while some parts of the company are tightening their belts, others are gearing up for the holiday rush. It's a clear sign of Amazon's strategic shift as they navigate the evolving market landscape.