Amazon is set to embark on one of the largest corporate job cuts in its history, with plans to lay off up to 30,000 white-collar employees as the company seeks to reduce costs, reverse pandemic-era overhiring, and accelerate its shift toward artificial intelligence (AI).
According to reports, the cuts will affect about 10 per cent of Amazon’s 350,000 corporate staff, marking the biggest layoff in the tech giant’s history. The move is part of a sweeping restructuring effort that reflects both macroeconomic pressures and the company’s ongoing digital transformation.
A Pattern of Cuts and Restructuring
Amazon has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs since 2022, eliminating roughly 27,000 corporate positions across divisions such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), advertising, devices, and communications.
Earlier in 2025, the company trimmed smaller teams in communications, sustainability, and its Devices & Services unit — affecting roles tied to Alexa, Kindle, and other hardware products. The latest round, however, surpasses all previous ones in scale.
AI, Cost Discipline, and Strategic Refocus
Insiders say the layoffs reflect Amazon’s intent to reallocate resources to AI and automation initiatives. In June, CEO Andy Jassy warned that as the company adopts generative AI and autonomous systems, some roles would inevitably become redundant.
Departments expected to be most affected include human resources (People Experience and Technology), operations, and corporate infrastructure. Reports suggest as much as 15 per cent of HR roles could be eliminated.
Cultural Shifts and Cost Pressures
The layoffs come amid a broader cultural reset at Amazon, which has tightened its return-to-office policy, enforced employee relocations, and pushed for greater cost efficiency.
Despite strong performance in its cloud and logistics divisions, Amazon continues to face margin pressure due to inflation, high interest rates, and slowing consumer spending. The company views automation and AI as long-term solutions to streamline operations and improve productivity.
Employee Fallout and Industry Impact
Affected employees are expected to receive severance packages that include salary continuation, benefits, and payouts based on tenure. However, reports of “silent sacking” — where employees are pressured to resign — have surfaced in recent months.
The timing is notable, as the layoffs coincide with Amazon’s peak holiday hiring season, typically marked by increased demand for warehouse and delivery workers. The current cuts focus primarily on corporate roles, not frontline logistics staff.
Tech Industry’s Wider Reset
Amazon’s move comes as the global tech sector undergoes one of its most significant workforce realignments in decades. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google (Alphabet), and Cisco have also cut thousands of jobs as they adapt to the twin forces of economic uncertainty and AI-driven automation.
For Amazon, this may be the most consequential workforce overhaul yet — one that tests its ability to balance innovation, cost control, and employee morale in a rapidly changing digital economy.
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