Amazon is gearing up for another significant round of corporate job cuts that could begin as early as next week, marking one of the largest workforce reductions in the company’s history. The layoffs, expected to encompass thousands of white-collar roles, are part of a broader plan to reduce the corporate headcount by around 30,000 positions — nearly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce. This follows the first major round of layoffs in October 2025, when about 14,000 corporate jobs were eliminated as part of restructuring efforts aimed at improving efficiency and organisational agility.
The upcoming cuts are likely to impact several major divisions, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail and consumer teams, Prime Video, and People Experience and Technology (HR). Although Amazon employs more than 1.5 million people globally, its corporate workforce stands at roughly 350,000, making this second round of cuts a substantial organisational shift.
This development has quickly become a trending topic in business media and among employees on social platforms, as the implications extend beyond immediate job losses to questions about broader industry trends, the influence of artificial intelligence and automation, and shifting priorities as companies balance growth with operational efficiency.
Background & Context
Amazon’s layoff trend began gaining attention in late 2025 amid efforts to streamline the company’s sprawling organisational structure. In October 2025, the company announced the first wave of layoffs, reducing about 14,000 corporate roles, roughly half of the broader target reported by numerous outlets. These cuts were intended to reduce bureaucratic layers and help the company operate more efficiently.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has previously framed workforce reductions as part of efforts to simplify operations and focus on key growth areas, including artificial intelligence initiatives and cloud computing. While the company continues to invest heavily in strategic sectors, this second wave underlines a tension between ramping up technology investments and scaling down traditional corporate functions.
Key Facts / What Happened
- Amazon is planning a second round of corporate layoffs next week as part of a broader effort to eliminate around 30,000 white-collar jobs.
- The first phase, which eliminated 14,000 roles in October, targeted similar divisions.
- The upcoming cuts could affect divisions including AWS, retail, Prime Video, and People Experience and Technology (HR).
- The reductions target nearly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce but a small fraction of its total global headcount of around 1.58 million employees.
Voices & Perspectives
Industry observers see Amazon’s layoffs as part of a broader recalibration within the tech sector, where companies that expanded rapidly during the pandemic are now restructuring to sharpen focus and manage costs. While official company comments remain limited, analysts point to broader economic pressures, competitive dynamics in cloud computing and streaming, and strategic focus on growth sectors such as AI as factors influencing workforce decisions.
Employees impacted by previous layoffs have described the uncertainty around timing and scale, with many discussing the forthcoming cuts on professional forums and communities. These reactions reflect the real human impact of corporate restructuring and raise questions about morale and long-term workforce planning.
Implications
The latest round of job cuts at Amazon carries significant implications for both the company and the wider labor market. For Amazon, the restructuring may streamline operations and sharpen competitive focus, particularly in strategic areas such as cloud computing and AI. However, the layoffs also underscore the risks associated with overexpansion and the challenge of balancing innovation with organisational stability.
For the broader industry, Amazon’s approach signals ongoing adjustments as major tech firms respond to economic headwinds, automation trends, and shareholder expectations. The reduction of corporate layers could prompt other companies to reassess their own workforce strategies.
What’s Next / Future Outlook
As the layoffs approach, Amazon is expected to communicate with affected employees and roll out transition support such as severance packages and internal placement opportunities. The company’s leadership may also outline further structural changes in upcoming earnings reports or investor communications.
Looking ahead, workforce strategy will likely remain a key focus for Amazon and other tech giants as they navigate automation, cost pressures, and shifting market demands.
Our Take
Amazon’s renewed push to reduce corporate headcount reflects both immediate operational goals and longer-term strategic priorities. While the move may enhance efficiency, it also highlights the tension between aggressive growth and organisational resilience — a balancing act facing many large technology firms today.
Wrap-Up
As Amazon prepares to implement this next wave of layoffs, the broader tech industry will be watching closely. This moment underscores a wider shift in how major corporations manage talent and organisational structure in a rapidly evolving economic and technological landscape.
Sources
Reuters – Amazon plans thousands more corporate job cuts next week - https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/amazon-plans-thousands-more-corporate-job-cuts-next-week-sources-say-2026-01-22/
The Economic Times – Amazon plans thousands more corporate job cuts next week - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/amazon-plans-thousands-more-corporate-job-cuts-next-week-sources-say/articleshow/127223506.cms
Business Insider – Amazon expected to cut thousands more corporate jobs soon - https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-layoffs-thousands-more-corporate-jobs-soon-2026-1
PYMNTS – Amazon to Cut 14,000 Corporate Jobs in Second Round of Layoffs - https://www.pymnts.com/amazon/2026/amazon-to-cut-14000-corporate-jobs-in-second-round-of-layoffs/