Amazon Layoffs 2026: Thousands of Corporate Job Cuts Expected Next Week, Says Report
E-commerce and cloud giant Amazon is preparing for another major round of job cuts as early as next week, according to a report by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter. The company is moving ahead with plans to reduce its corporate workforce by around 30,000 roles.
Bengaluru, January 23: E-commerce and cloud giant Amazon is preparing for another major round of job cuts as early as next week, according to a report by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter. The company is moving ahead with plans to reduce its corporate workforce by around 30,000 roles, making this one of the largest restructuring exercises in its history.
The upcoming layoffs are expected to be roughly the same size as those announced last year and could begin as early as Tuesday. Amazon has not officially commented on the report so far. Amazon Layoffs: E-Commerce Giant Reportedly Plans Biggest Job Cuts in Company History; To Lay Off 30,000 Corporate Employees.
How Many Jobs Will Be Cut?
Amazon had already eliminated about 14,000 white-collar jobs in October last year, roughly half of the total reduction first reported. The second phase is now expected to see around 16,000 more corporate roles cut, taking the total close to 30,000.
If completed, this would mark the largest round of layoffs in Amazon’s 30-year history. For comparison, the company cut around 27,000 jobs in 2022 during an earlier cost-cutting drive.
Which Amazon Teams May Be Affected?
According to people familiar with the plans, several key divisions could be impacted in the coming weeks. These include Amazon Web Services (AWS), the core retail business, Prime Video, and the human resources unit known internally as People Experience and Technology. Amazon Layoffs: Luxembourg EU HQ Faces Biggest Ever Job Cuts As E-Commerce Giant Embraces AI; 370 To Be Affected.
However, the sources cautioned that the full scope of the layoffs is still unclear and that plans may change. Amazon currently employs about 1.58 million people globally, most of whom work in warehouses and fulfilment centres. While 30,000 job cuts represent a small fraction of the total workforce, they account for nearly 10 percent of Amazon’s corporate staff.
What Happens to Employees Affected?
Employees laid off in October were told they would remain on Amazon’s payroll for 90 days, during which they could apply for internal roles or seek opportunities elsewhere. That 90-day transition period is set to end on Monday, just ahead of the expected new round of cuts.
Why Is Amazon Cutting Jobs?
When the October layoffs were announced, Amazon linked the decision to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, calling it the most transformative technology since the internet. However, CEO Andy Jassy later offered a different explanation.
Speaking during an earnings call, Jassy said the layoffs were not primarily driven by finances or AI, but by culture. He noted that Amazon had become too bureaucratic, with too many layers and roles built up over time, prompting the need for a leaner organisation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).