28.01.2026 17:58
Amazon has decided to lay off 16,000 employees worldwide as part of its strategy to streamline its corporate structure.
American e-commerce company Amazon has decided to lay off approximately 16,000 more employees worldwide as part of its strategy to simplify its corporate structure and reduce bureaucracy.
AMAZON TO LAY OFF 16,000 EMPLOYEES
Amazon's Senior Vice President of Human Experience and Technology, Beth Galetti, informed company employees in a letter that new decisions have been made as a continuation of the organizational changes initiated in October 2025.
Galetti stated that approximately 16,000 more employees worldwide would be laid off, citing the reduction of management layers, increased individual responsibilities, and the elimination of bureaucracy that slows down decision-making processes as the main reasons for the decision.
Using the phrase "We are working to strengthen our organization," Galetti noted that while many teams completed these changes in October, some units were only able to finish their work.
90-DAY PERIOD FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES
Galetti reported that most U.S.-based employees affected by the layoffs would be given a 90-day period to find a new position within the company, and that transition support such as severance pay, job placement services, and health insurance assistance would be provided to those who cannot find a new role or choose to leave.
Galetti expressed that the company would continue to invest and hire in strategic areas, stating that this move is critical for Amazon's future.
After laying off 14,000 white-collar workers in October 2025, Amazon signaled that there could be further cuts in 2026. The company, which has laid off a total of 27,000 people since 2023, has a total workforce of 1.57 million, including warehouse staff.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS CHANGING WORKFORCE DYNAMICS
This decision has drawn attention as the latest example of how artificial intelligence is changing corporate workforce dynamics. Developments in AI assistants enable many tasks, from routine administrative work to complex coding, to be performed quickly and accurately, encouraging companies to adopt this technology. Experts emphasize that this situation accelerates a more agile working model in corporate structures.