Amazon Plans to Lay Off Thousands More Employees Amid Ongoing Cost-Cutting Drive

Amazon Layoffs 2026: Thousands More Jobs at Risk as Amazon Continues Cost-Cutting and Management Restructuring

Amazon is preparing for another major round of job cuts as part of its ongoing effort to streamline operations and reduce costs. According to reports, the company plans to lay off thousands more corporate employees, with the process expected to begin as early as next week. The move marks a continuation of Amazon’s multi-year restructuring strategy aimed at flattening management layers and improving operational efficiency.

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The planned layoffs come just months after Amazon announced the elimination of approximately 14,000 roles, warning at the time that further reductions could follow in 2026. Internal discussions reportedly gave managers the option to implement the cuts in October or defer them to the new year, indicating that the decision-making process has been ongoing.

A Pattern of Workforce Reductions

This is not the first time Amazon has undertaken large-scale job cuts. The upcoming layoffs mirror similar actions taken in late 2022 and early 2023, when the company eliminated roughly 27,000 positions globally. Those reductions were among the largest in Amazon’s history and signaled a shift away from the aggressive hiring seen during the pandemic-era e-commerce boom.

The current round of cuts is being rolled out in phases, both before and after Amazon’s crucial holiday shopping quarter. This timing suggests the company is attempting to balance cost control with operational stability during its busiest season.

Focus on Corporate Roles

While Amazon employs approximately 1.57 million people worldwide, the majority of whom work in warehouses and logistics, the latest layoffs are focused primarily on its corporate workforce, which numbers around 350,000 employees. These roles include management, administrative, and technology-related positions rather than frontline warehouse staff.

By targeting corporate roles, Amazon appears to be prioritizing leaner management structures and faster decision-making. Executives have previously emphasized the need to remove unnecessary layers that slow innovation and increase costs.

Regional Impact of the Layoffs

The effects of Amazon’s cost-cutting drive are being felt globally. In December 2025, the company reduced its workforce in Luxembourg by approximately 8.5%, cutting around 370 jobs. This marked Amazon’s largest round of layoffs in the country in nearly two decades.

In addition, reports indicate that Amazon cut 84 jobs in Greece in December, separate from the broader corporate layoffs announced in October 2025. These regional reductions highlight how Amazon’s restructuring efforts extend beyond the United States and impact multiple international markets.

Regulatory Disclosure and Compliance

As part of compliance with state regulations, Amazon has informed Washington authorities under the state’s updated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, commonly known as the WARN Act. The revised law requires companies to disclose all terminations occurring within 90 days of a prior notice.

This disclosure underscores the scale and phased nature of the layoffs, as well as the regulatory scrutiny large employers face when conducting workforce reductions.

Leadership Strategy Under Andy Jassy

Since becoming CEO in 2021, Andy Jassy has aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures across Amazon. His leadership marks a shift from rapid expansion toward efficiency and profitability, especially as economic conditions tighten and investor expectations evolve.

In June 2026, Jassy stated that generative AI technologies are expected to reduce Amazon’s corporate workforce in the coming years. Automation and AI-driven efficiencies are increasingly seen as tools to streamline operations, potentially reducing the need for certain administrative and managerial roles.

Broader Implications for the Tech Industry

Amazon’s layoffs reflect a wider trend across the tech sector, where companies are reassessing staffing levels after years of rapid growth. Rising interest rates, slowing consumer demand, and increased competition have forced many tech giants to prioritize cost discipline.

For employees, these developments underscore growing uncertainty in corporate tech roles, even at industry leaders like Amazon. For investors, the layoffs signal a focus on long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

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Looking Ahead

As Amazon moves forward with its restructuring plans, further changes to its workforce appear likely. While the company has not officially commented on the latest reports, its actions suggest that cost control, automation, and organizational efficiency will remain central priorities in 2026.

The coming weeks are expected to bring more clarity on the scope and impact of the layoffs. What is clear, however, is that Amazon’s transformation is far from over, and its decisions will continue to shape employment trends across the global technology and e-commerce landscape.

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