Restructuring at Amazon Leads to Layoffs of 16,000 Workers

New York — Amazon has announced that it will lay off around 16,000 employees, marking its second major wave of job cuts in just three months. The move comes as the company works to restructure its internal operations and enhance its position in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence industry.

Second Major Round of Workforce Reductions

This latest decision follows Amazon’s earlier announcement in late October, when the company revealed plans to cut approximately 14,000 corporate roles. Together, these reductions represent one of the largest restructuring efforts Amazon has undertaken in recent years.

Cutting Bureaucracy to Move Faster

In a blog post released on Wednesday, Amazon explained that the layoffs are part of a broader effort to eliminate unnecessary layers of management and expedite decision-making.

Beth Galetti, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of People, said the company is focused on removing red tape and encouraging more ownership across teams. According to her, the goal is to make Amazon more agile in an industry being transformed by AI innovation.

CEO Andy Jassy’s “Startup Mindset” Vision

CEO Andy Jassy has repeatedly emphasized his desire for Amazon to operate more like “the world’s biggest startup.” He believes the company must remain flexible and able to adapt quickly as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the technology sector.

Layoffs Not Expected to Become a Routine

Galetti also noted that Amazon does not intend for these layoffs to become a regular pattern. Instead, she said the company will continue reviewing its structure to ensure it maintains the right balance of speed, creativity, and capacity to invent for customers.

Hiring Will Continue in Key Areas

Despite the large-scale job cuts, Amazon confirmed it will still be hiring in strategic areas critical to its long-term future. The company plans to invest in roles tied to innovation, customer-focused development, and high-priority functions.

A Sign of Wider Tech Industry Shifts

Amazon’s layoffs reflect a broader trend across the technology industry, where major firms are adjusting workforce levels while shifting resources toward artificial intelligence and automation-driven growth.