Amazon Cuts 16000 Jobs In Largest Layoff Yet

Amazon, the global e-commerce and technology behemoth, has once again made headlines with a sweeping round of layoffs, confirming on January 28, 2026, that it will cut approximately 16,000 corporate jobs worldwide. This marks the second major reduction in less than four months, bringing the total number of positions eliminated since October 2025 to a staggering 30,000—a scale unmatched in the company’s history, according to reporting from GeekWire and BBC.

The news, while anticipated by many inside the company, landed with a jolt after an accidental email leaked details of the layoffs a day earlier. As BBC reports, the premature message was included in a calendar invitation titled “Send project Dawn email”—a nod to Amazon’s internal code name for the redundancy initiative. The email, authored by Colleen Aubrey, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services (AWS), made clear that the cuts were part of a broad effort to “strengthen the company by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy, so that we can move faster for customers.”

While the company employs more than 1.5 million people globally—including about 350,000 in corporate roles—the layoffs have hit white-collar teams the hardest. Internal communications and Slack posts viewed by Business Insider revealed that affected employees span the US, UK, India, Canada, and Costa Rica, with teams within AWS (including Bedrock AI, Redshift, and ProServe consulting), Prime subscription, and the last-mile Delivery Experience among those impacted. Many of those seeking new opportunities internally had software engineering backgrounds.

Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, Beth Galetti, addressed employees directly in a blog post and internal memo. “Some of you might ask if this is the beginning of a new rhythm—where we announce broad reductions every few months. That’s not our plan,” she wrote, as cited by GeekWire and BBC. Galetti emphasized that while many teams had finalized their organizational changes in October 2025, others only completed this work now. She reiterated that the company would continue to evaluate its operations and “make adjustments as appropriate,” especially in a world that “is changing faster than ever.”

For most US-based employees affected by the layoffs, Amazon is offering a 90-day window to seek new roles within the company. The timing for international employees varies based on local regulations. Those unable or unwilling to secure a new position will receive severance pay, outplacement services, and continued health insurance benefits, as detailed by Business Insider and GeekWire. Severance packages are tailored to the length of service, and support is being extended to help employees transition out of the company.

The layoffs are not the only major change at Amazon this week. On January 27, 2026, the company announced it would shutter all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go brick-and-mortar grocery stores, a move that signals a shift in retail strategy. At the same time, Amazon is discontinuing its Amazon One biometric palm recognition service, notifying customers of the change. However, the company plans to expand its Whole Foods Market business, according to BBC.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, who succeeded founder Jeff Bezos in 2021, has steered the company through these turbulent times. In an email to staff before Thanksgiving, Jassy described this period as “a time to rethink everything we’ve ever done,” acknowledging the rapid pace of change in the world and the need for Amazon to adapt. On a recent earnings call, Jassy explained that the company’s explosive growth over the past decade led to extra layers of management and slower decision-making. His vision is for Amazon to operate with the agility of “the world’s largest startup.”

Jassy’s push for efficiency has extended to cost-cutting measures, such as monitoring corporate mobile phone usage to limit reimbursements, as reported by Business Insider. He also implemented a five-day return-to-office policy for corporate employees at the start of 2025—a move that generated pushback from some staff but was intended to foster collaboration and speed.

The human toll of the layoffs is significant. Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, a worker advocacy group, issued a statement highlighting the impact on morale. More than 1,200 employees have signed an open letter criticizing Amazon’s artificial intelligence strategy and calling for greater worker input on AI deployment and related layoffs. The letter echoes a growing sentiment among tech workers who feel uncertain about their future at the company in light of these sweeping changes.

The ripple effects extend beyond Amazon’s walls. In Seattle, where Amazon employs around 50,000 corporate workers, the cuts have raised concerns about the local economy. Jon Scholes, president of the Downtown Seattle Association, noted that “a workforce change of this scale has ripple effects on the community.” The tech sector has long been a driver of growth and tax revenue in the city, fueling investments in housing, public safety, and economic development. Scholes expressed hope that the pain would be short-lived, but acknowledged the challenges ahead.

Amazon’s layoffs are part of a broader trend in the technology industry. Other giants, including Meta and Microsoft, have also announced significant workforce reductions over the past year. According to GeekWire, Meta cut 331 positions in Seattle earlier this month, while Microsoft eliminated more than 3,200 jobs in Washington state in 2025 alone. The competitive pressures of artificial intelligence, automation, and shifting consumer habits are reshaping the landscape for tech workers around the globe.

Despite the upheaval, Amazon insists it is not pulling back from innovation. Galetti stressed that the company would “continue hiring and investing in strategic areas and functions that are critical to our future.” The company’s cloud business, Amazon Web Services, remains a key growth engine, with analysts predicting that rising demand for AI infrastructure could help boost Amazon’s performance in the coming quarters. Amazon is set to report its latest earnings on February 5, with Wall Street watching closely for signs of how the company will navigate this new era.

For now, the message from Amazon’s leadership is one of tough choices and cautious optimism. As Galetti put it, “I’m grateful for how our teams continue to deliver—for customers, for each other, and for the incredible things we’re building together.” The coming months will reveal whether Amazon’s bold restructuring can deliver on its promise of a leaner, more agile company ready for the future.