Amazon has announced organizational changes that will affect some of its employees, with communications to impacted teams and individuals taking place today. The company explained that these changes are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its structure and culture.
Last year, CEO Andy Jassy outlined the importance of operating like a large startup, focusing on speed, ownership, and reducing bureaucracy. Employees have worked to streamline organizations by removing layers and increasing individual responsibility. According to Amazon leadership, these efforts have already led to faster team operations and greater employee ownership.
The latest reductions continue this approach, aiming to further decrease bureaucracy and shift resources toward key business priorities. As a result, Amazon will reduce its corporate workforce by about 14,000 positions. The company stated it is supporting affected employees by providing most with 90 days to seek new roles within Amazon—though timing may vary depending on local laws—and giving priority consideration for internal candidates during hiring.
For those unable or unwilling to find new roles within the company, Amazon is offering transition support including severance pay, outplacement services, and health insurance benefits.
Looking ahead to 2026, Amazon expects to keep hiring in strategic areas while continuing efforts to simplify its organization and improve efficiency.
“Many of you have put significant effort into that work of strengthening your organizations by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and helping reduce bureaucracy. We’re already seeing the results, with teams moving faster and many Amazonians feeling more ownership, and the S-team and I appreciate all the work you’ve done,” the message said.
“The reductions we’re sharing today are a continuation of this work to get even stronger by further reducing bureaucracy, removing layers, and shifting resources to ensure we’re investing in our biggest bets and what matters most to our customers’ current and future needs.”
“For our teammates who are unable to find a new role at Amazon or who choose not to look for one, we’ll offer them transition support including severance pay, outplacement services, health insurance benefits, and more.”
“Looking ahead to 2026, as Andy talked about earlier this year, we expect to continue hiring in key strategic areas while also finding additional places we can remove layers, increase ownership, and realize efficiency gains.”
