Amazon is laying off around 14,000 corporate positions, marking its biggest job cuts since the pandemic-era reductions that saw 27,000 employees exit between 2022 and 2023. The layoffs represent approximately 4% of Amazon’s 350,000-strong white-collar workforce and come despite the company posting $18 billion in quarterly profits. Affected employees received termination notices on the morning of October 28 via email from Beth Galetti, the company’s senior vice president of human resources.
Read the full email from Amazon HR chief to 14,000 laid-off employees
According to Business Insider, terminated employees received detailed messages outlining immediate next steps and support packages. The email’s stark opening left little room for misinterpretation about their employment status.
Here’s the complete email Galetti sent to affected workers:
I have some important, but difficult, news to share with you. After a thorough review of our organization, our priorities, and what we need to focus on going forward, we’ve made the hard business decision to eliminate some roles across Amazon. Unfortunately, your role is being eliminated and your employment will end after a non-working period.We didn’t make these decisions lightly, and we’re committed to supporting you throughout this transition, which will include a non-working period with full pay and benefits (as applicable), an offer of a severance package, transitional benefits as applicable by country, and access to several skills trainings as well as external job placement support.You likely have questions, and we’re here to answer them. You’ll soon receive a Chime meeting invitation for a conversation with a leader and/or HR representative from your team to discuss the specifics of your transition and how we can support you. While this meeting is optional, we encourage you to attend virtually as it provides an opportunity to address your individual questions. Your badge access has been restricted, so if you’re currently in an Amazon office, Security can assist you with exiting the building. Beyond this conversation, you can also review additional information and FAQs in MyHR at any time.As of now, you are no longer required to perform work on Amazon’s behalf, and will receive your full pay and benefits (as applicable) for the next 90 days. During this transition period, you’ll continue to have access to internal email, Chime, and A to Z on your personal device, and our primary mode of communication with you will be through email.If you have not yet downloaded the A to Z app … you’ll need it to access important resources like MyHR, where you’ll see FAQs about supportive resources, benefits, pay, how to retrieve any personal belongings from your workspace, and how to return your Amazon-issued equipment.You can find additional information about how to install A to Z, access MyHR, and access Chime and email on this page.Please ensure your personal email address is up to date in A to Z, and keep your Yubikey so you can access internal email on a personal computer/mobile device. Remember that caring team members are ready to assist you 24/7 through MyHR or the Employee Assistance Portal (EAP), offering free and confidential support, both within the A to Z App.If you run into any trouble at all getting what you need-whether that’s connectivity issues, questions about next steps, or any other concerns-please just reply to this email. I’m personally committed to making sure you get the help you need as you navigate this change.Thank you, Beth Galetti SVP, People Experience & TechnologyThe email informed workers their badge access was immediately restricted and security would escort them from buildings if necessary. Affected employees receive 90 days of full pay and benefits, severance packages, and job placement assistance.
Amazon blames artificial intelligence for the job cuts; another round of job cuts expected soon
Galetti defended the cuts despite Amazon’s strong financial performance, stating “this generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet.” The company plans to reduce bureaucracy and flatten organizational hierarchies while redirecting resources toward generative AI investments.The timing has raised eyebrows—Amazon posted $18 billion in profits last quarter and plans capital expenditures exceeding $120 billion this year, up nearly 50% from 2024. CEO Andy Jassy foreshadowed the reductions in June, warning employees that AI efficiency gains would inevitably shrink the corporate workforce as the company would “need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today.”Reuters had previously reported that Amazon was planning total job cuts of up to 30,000 employees, suggesting additional layoffs. The New York times reports that another round is expected in January following the holiday shopping season, citing sources familiar with the plans.
