Amazon’s second round of corporate cuts is no longer looming: the company confirmed about 16,000 additional job reductions in January 2026. Combined with about 14,000 roles announced for reduction in October 2025, the two phases total approximately 30,000. That is a combined figure across two announcements, not a new October 2026 cut announcement.
What happened in Amazon’s 2025–2026 layoffs?
The cuts were announced in two phases. Amazon announced the first in October 2025, then confirmed the additional round in January 2026 after Reuters had reported that another phase was expected.
| Phase | Announcement | Approximate roles | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | October 2025 | 14,000 | Amazon announced an expected reduction in corporate roles in a statement by senior vice president Beth Galetti. Amazon statement |
| Second | January 2026 | 16,000 additional jobs | Amazon confirmed the cuts; the announcement followed advance reporting by Reuters. Associated Press coverage |
| Combined total | Across both phases | About 30,000 | Approximate total from the two announced phases, not a separate announcement. GeekWire coverage |
How did Reuters’ report differ from Amazon’s announcement?
On January 22, 2026, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with Amazon’s plans, that another round was expected as part of a broader target of about 30,000 corporate roles. Amazon declined to comment to Reuters at that time. That was advance reporting based on unnamed sources, not an Amazon announcement. Amazon later confirmed approximately 16,000 additional cuts. Reuters’ January 22 report
Why did Amazon say it was cutting corporate roles?
Amazon described the changes as an effort to reduce bureaucracy and organizational layers, increase ownership, and improve efficiency while shifting resources toward strategic priorities. In October 2025, Galetti said the company expected to reduce its corporate workforce by about 14,000 roles, while continuing to hire in key areas. She also described AI as transformative and connected that shift to the need for a leaner organization. The company’s explanation does not establish that AI alone caused the cuts.
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In January, Galetti said Amazon would continue investing and hiring in strategic areas and functions it considered critical to its future. The company’s stated approach was therefore to reduce roles in some areas while hiring in others, rather than announce a general hiring freeze.
What transition support did Amazon describe?
For the October changes, Amazon said most affected employees would have 90 days to look for another internal role. Those who did not take another role would receive transition support that included severance, outplacement services, and health insurance benefits. Amazon said the timing could vary according to local laws. Amazon’s October statement
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For the January round, AP reported that US-based employees would have 90 days to seek internal roles and that those who did not move into another job would receive transition support. Those US details should not be assumed to apply identically in every country. Employees should consult the notices and benefit information provided for their location.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which teams, jobs, and locations were affected?
Amazon’s January announcement did not provide a complete breakdown by business unit, job title, or location. AP reported that the company had not said which units or locations would be affected. The approximate company-wide total does not establish where individual positions were eliminated, and it should not be used to treat rumors or isolated employee reports as a confirmed list.
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The public information summarized here establishes the two announced phases, but does not establish the status of any later workforce changes after January 2026.
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