Amazon cutting 14K jobs
Amazon cutting 14K jobs
E-commerce giant Amazon has announced it is cutting approximately 14,000 corporate jobs. The decision, communicated to employees on October 28, 2025, is part of a significant restructuring effort driven by a company-wide push for efficiency and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). For a beginner to this news, it’s essential to understand that this isn’t just about cost-cutting during hard times; it’s a strategic shift that reflects how major tech companies are fundamentally reorganizing around new technologies, even while performing well financially.
The news was delivered to Amazon’s workforce via an internal memo, by the company’s Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology (PXT, Amazon’s term for HR) . The layoffs will affect several corporate divisions, including Human Resources, Operations, Devices and Services, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) . This reduction adds to the over 27,000 corporate jobs the company has eliminated since 2022, making it the largest cut to Amazon’s corporate workforce in its history .
Managers of affected teams were notified in advance and completed training to prepare for communicating the difficult news to their staff . Employees whose roles are being eliminated will receive email notifications and will be contacted by their managers .
Why is Amazon Cutting Jobs?
Amazon has cited several interconnected reasons for this massive workforce reduction:
- Reducing Bureaucracy: A key goal is to “reduce bureaucracy” and “remove layers” within the corporate structure. CEO Andy Jassy has long advocated for the company to “operate like the world’s largest start-up,” which requires a leaner and more agile organization .
- Correcting Pandemic Over hiring: The company went on a hiring spree during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet surging online demand. This round of layoffs is, in part, a correction to that period of over hiring .
- The AI-Driven Transformation: Perhaps the most significant reason is the rise of generative AI. Amazon executives have stated that AI is enabling the company to innovate faster and operate more efficiently, leading to the need for fewer people in certain roles . This isn’t about economic hardship but about a technological shift.
Major Tech Layoffs in 2025
Amazon’s move is not happening in a vacuum. It is part of a wider wave of job cuts across the technology sector in 2025. According to the tracking site Layoffs.fyi, over 200 tech companies have eliminated approximately 98,000 positions this year alone . Other giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Salesforce have also announced significant layoffs, with many also pointing to AI adoption as a key factor . The table below illustrates how Amazon’s layoffs compare to other major tech cuts this year.
| Company | Reported Layoffs (2025) |
|---|---|
| Amazon | ~14,000 (Corporate) |
| Intel | ~27,000 |
| Microsoft | ~15,000 |
| Salesforce | >9,000 |
| Meta (Facebook) | ~4,000 |
Source: Data compiled from Layoffs.fyi as reported in search results
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many jobs is Amazon cutting?
Amazon is cutting around 14,000 corporate jobs .
Is this the largest layoff in Amazon’s history?
Yes, this is the largest single reduction to Amazon’s corporate workforce in the company’s history .
Why is Amazon laying off employees when the company is performing well?
Amazon states that the layoffs are not due to poor performance but are a strategic move to reduce bureaucracy, increase efficiency, and restructure the company around artificial intelligence, which is changing the nature of work .
What support is Amazon offering to laid-off employees?
Affected employees are being offered a 90-day period to search for another job within Amazon. Those who leave will receive severance pay, outplacement services, and health insurance benefits .
Is AI really replacing these jobs?
Company executives have stated that generative AI is a key driver behind the restructuring. The technology allows Amazon to automate or streamline many tasks, leading to a need for fewer people in certain corporate roles .
