Amazon Announces Thousands of Job Cuts by 2026: How Many Will Be Affected and Why?

Amazon has confirmed a global reduction of 16,000 jobs, a decision marking the initiation of its operational reconfiguration leading up to 2026. This move also addresses a strategic priority to reduce costs, streamline internal structures, and accelerate its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was officially communicated to employees on Wednesday morning, although an internal email hours earlier had already foreshadowed the extent of the adjustment. The message referenced layoffs in the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica, and was withdrawn shortly after being sent. Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology at Amazon, confirmed that the layoffs will impact approximately 16,000

, as part of a plan to strengthen the organization. “We have worked to strengthen our organization by reducing layers, increasing accountability, and eliminating bureaucracy,” stated the executive in a message directed to employees and subsequently published on the company’s website. The executive emphasized that the objective is not to implement recurring mass layoffs, though she made it clear that each team will continue to evaluate its capacity for innovation, speed, and customer focus, which could lead to further specific adjustments. This reduction is in addition to the layoff of 14,000 corporate employees announced in October, primarily affecting middle management, executives, and administrative areas. Cumulatively, Amazon will have eliminated nearly 30,000 corporate positions in less than six months.

Who Is Affected by Amazon’s Layoffs?

While the company has not detailed which countries or areas will be most impacted, the context allows for the identification of profiles with higher exposure. The cuts are primarily concentrated in: -Corporate and administrative employees -Management, sales, and internal operations areas -Teams with redundant or highly bureaucratic functions -Office positions susceptible to automation

Amazon employs approximately 1.5 million people worldwide, with about 350,000 holding corporate roles. The majority of operational staff in fulfillment centers and logistics would not be directly affected by this round. Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, had already anticipated in June that investment in artificial intelligence would reduce office headcounts in the coming years by automating processes that previously required full teams.

Artificial Intelligence: The Driving Force Behind Amazon’s Job Cuts

The workforce adjustment does not occur in a vacuum. Amazon is immersed in a global race to lead the development and application of artificial intelligence, both in cloud services and in logistics, e-commerce, and customer experience. The company has significantly increased its investments in: -Amazon Web Services (AWS) -Generative AI models -Internal process automation -Supply chain optimization -Predictive analytics and personalization

In this context, staff reduction becomes a financial and structural decision, aimed at freeing up resources for areas deemed critical for future growth. “In a world that is changing faster than ever, this has never been more important,” Galetti affirmed, justifying the restructuring.

Support and Options for Affected Employees

Amazon has assured that it will implement support measures for employees whose positions are eliminated, especially in the United States and other key markets. Among the available options are: -Up to a 90-day period to seek a new role within Amazon -Severance pay -Outplacement services -Temporary access to health insurance and benefits -Professional transition support

The relocation period will vary by country, in accordance with local labor regulations. The company also indicated that it will continue hiring in strategic areas, even while executing the reductions.