By John Meyer, consultant in business – Eurasia Business News, January 28, 2026. Article no. 2013
Amazon has confirmed it will cut about 16,000 corporate jobs worldwide in a new round of layoffs, tied to restructuring efforts and a bigger push to use artificial intelligence across the company.
Around 16,000 corporate roles will be eliminated globally, affecting multiple business units rather than a single team.
This is Amazon’s second major round of cuts in roughly three months, following about 14,000 layoffs announced in October 2025, bringing the recent total to around 30,000 corporate roles.
The reductions are framed as part of efforts to “reduce layers,” “eliminate bureaucracy,” and increase efficiency after rapid hiring during the pandemic.
Why Amazon says it is doing this
Amazon executives say the company is restructuring after pandemic-era overexpansion and is now focusing on running a “leaner” organization.
CEO Andy Jassy has said increased use of generative AI and automation will mean fewer people are needed for some corporate tasks, even as new roles appear in other areas.
The company remains profitable; recent quarterly results showed strong revenue and profit growth, so the cuts are driven more by strategy and efficiency than by a crisis.
Who is affected
The layoffs target corporate employees rather than warehouse or delivery staff, and will hit areas including Amazon Web Services, retail, Prime Video, and HR, according to reports.
Amazon has not published a detailed list of locations or teams, but the cuts are described as global, including the U.S. and other regions.
Many impacted employees reportedly learned of the move through an internal email that was sent earlier than intended, before the public announcement.
What support laid-off employees get
For most affected U.S. corporate workers, Amazon is offering about 90 days to seek a new job internally before separation, though timelines vary internationally.
Those who do not find a new internal role are expected to receive severance pay, some continued health benefits where applicable, and outplacement or transition assistance.
If you tell me your role, location, and whether you’re corporate or operations, I can summarize what this likely means for your specific situation based on these reports.
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© Copyright 2026 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 2013
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