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What Amazon announced in January 2025
On January 30, 2025, TechCrunch reported that Amazon was eliminating a small number of jobs in Communications and Sustainability. The report was based on an internal memo viewed by the publication. Amazon senior vice president Drew Herdener wrote that some roles were too narrowly scoped or added unnecessary organizational layers, and that flattening the structure or shifting workloads had not solved the issue. He said: “To address this and do the right thing for the business, we’re eliminating a small number of roles in Communications and Sustainability.” TechCrunch’s report also quoted Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser, who declined to say how many jobs were eliminated.
How many employees were affected, and which teams?
The exact headcount was not disclosed. The report did not identify affected locations or subteams, so there is no confirmed breakdown of which Communications or Sustainability employees were included. “Small number” is the memo’s description, not a count; figures reported for later Amazon layoffs should not be applied to this January 2025 event.
What reason did Amazon give?
Herdener’s memo described a restructuring problem: roles were considered too narrowly defined or created unnecessary layers, and the company said organizational flattening or shifting work had not resolved it. TechCrunch connected the cuts to Amazon’s return-to-office policy in its framing, but the quoted explanation in the memo focused on role scope and organizational layers—not office attendance.
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What support was reported for affected workers?
According to TechCrunch’s account of the memo, affected employees would receive financial support, continued benefits, and job-placement assistance. The report did not specify payment amounts, how long benefits would continue, or eligibility terms.
How the cuts differ from Amazon’s later reductions
Amazon announced broader workforce reductions in October 2025 and January 2026. Those company announcements describe different events and do not provide a headcount for the January 2025 Communications and Sustainability cuts.
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- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
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| Announcement | Scope | Announced count | Source and support details |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Communications and Sustainability departments | “Small number” in the memo; exact count not disclosed | TechCrunch reported on an internal memo and said Amazon declined to disclose a count. The report described financial support, continued benefits, and job-placement assistance, without terms. |
| October 2025 | Amazon corporate workforce | Approximately 14,000 roles | Amazon’s company announcement described a later corporate reduction. It said most employees would have 90 days to seek another internal role, with timing varying by local law, and described severance, outplacement, and health benefits for those not moving internally. |
| January 2026 | Roles across Amazon | Approximately 16,000 roles | Amazon’s company announcement said most US-based employees would be offered 90 days to seek an internal role; timing varied internationally with local and country-level requirements. It also described applicable severance, outplacement, and health insurance benefits. |
The January 2026 announcement said some organizational changes begun in October had not been completed until then. It did not say that the 16,000-role reduction specifically targeted Communications or Sustainability. Amazon SVP Beth Galetti also wrote that regular broad reductions every few months were not the company’s plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Amazon continue hiring in communications and sustainability?
As of October 4, 2026, Amazon’s careers pages showed at least some openings in these fields. Its public relations and communications listings included a Worldwide Sustainability Communications role, and Amazon.jobs listed a Senior Communications Manager, Energy, Sustainability Communications role spanning New York, Arlington, and Seattle. Amazon’s public relations and communications careers page and the listed senior communications role establish that some vacancies were advertised at that snapshot date. They do not establish that the eliminated 2025 positions were restored, that the advertised jobs were filled, or that team staffing was otherwise unchanged.
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Amazon’s sustainability careers page describes company work on climate change, social inequity, natural resources, human rights, and community engagement. Amazon says it co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019 and committed to net-zero carbon by 2040; those are the company’s stated commitment and description, not an independent assessment of its results. Amazon’s sustainability careers page
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- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
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