Amazon to Cut 30,000 Jobs: Layoffs Starting Soon

Reports indicate that Amazon is preparing for a significant reduction in its corporate workforce, with plans to lay off as many as 30,000 employees. This move, if confirmed, would represent one of the largest job cuts in the company’s history and underscores a broader trend of recalibration within the tech sector. The layoffs are reportedly set to begin as early as Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The Scope of the Reported Layoffs

According to sources familiar with the matter, Amazon aims to cut nearly 10% of its corporate workforce, which currently stands at approximately 350,000 employees. While this figure constitutes a fraction of Amazon’s total global employee count of around 1.55 million, it signifies a substantial restructuring within its non-warehouse operations. Divisions such as Human Resources (People Experience and Technology), devices and services, and operations are among those expected to be impacted. Managers were reportedly undergoing training on Monday to prepare for communicating with affected staff.

Context and Contributing Factors

These reported job cuts are attributed to multiple factors, primarily Amazon’s efforts to manage expenses and adjust for what is now seen as overhiring during the peak demand of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the company experienced rapid growth in its corporate headcount, which reportedly tripled between 2017 and 2022. However, with the easing of pandemic-era demand, many tech companies, including Amazon, have been streamlining operations.

This reported round of layoffs follows previous significant workforce reductions. Amazon eliminated approximately 27,000 corporate jobs in late 2022 and early 2023, as CEO Andy Jassy initiated cost-cutting measures. Since then, there have been smaller, more targeted cuts across various business units.

The Role of Generative AI in Workforce Evolution

A critical element influencing Amazon’s workforce strategy is the increasing integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) across its operations. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has previously communicated that AI advancements are expected to reshape job roles and potentially reduce the overall corporate workforce.

In a memo sent to employees in June 2025, Jassy stated that while AI would make jobs “more exciting and fun,” it would also lead to “fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs.” He added that in the coming years, he anticipates AI leading to “efficiency gains” that will reduce the company’s total corporate workforce. Jassy encouraged employees to embrace AI, educate themselves, and become “conversant in AI” to remain impactful within the company. Amazon is significantly investing in AI, with capital expenditures projected to exceed $100 billion in 2025, primarily for building out AI capacity in AWS.

Potential Impact and Outlook

These reported layoffs highlight the ongoing adjustments within the tech industry as companies navigate evolving economic conditions and technological shifts. For Amazon, the cuts are part of a broader strategy to increase efficiency and optimize its massive global operations. The company is expected to report its latest quarterly earnings results on Thursday, which may offer further insights into its financial health and strategic direction.

FAQ Section

Q1: How many corporate employees is Amazon reportedly laying off?

Amazon is reportedly planning to lay off up to 30,000 corporate employees.

Q2: When are these layoffs expected to begin?

The layoffs are reportedly scheduled to begin as early as Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Q3: What are the primary reasons cited for these job cuts?

The reported reasons include efforts to pare expenses, compensate for overhiring during the pandemic, and the increasing integration of generative AI leading to efficiency gains.

Q4: Which departments might be affected by the layoffs?

Reports suggest that various divisions could be impacted, including Human Resources (People Experience and Technology), devices and services, and operations.

Q5: Has Amazon conducted similar layoffs recently?

Yes, Amazon undertook significant layoffs in late 2022 and early 2023, cutting approximately 27,000 corporate jobs.

Conclusion

The reported plans for Amazon to lay off up to 30,000 corporate employees underscore a pivotal moment for the e-commerce and tech giant. Driven by a combination of post-pandemic recalibration and a strategic embrace of artificial intelligence, these workforce adjustments reflect a broader industry trend toward leaner, more efficient operations. As Amazon continues to evolve its business model and integrate advanced technologies, its impact on the future of work within the corporate landscape remains a significant point of observation.