Amazon is gearing up for a significant new round of layoffs, with reports indicating that roughly 16,000 corporate and technology jobs could be cut as early as January 31, 2026. This would mark the second major wave of layoffs in recent months and one of the largest workforce reductions in the company’s history.
Part of a Larger Workforce Reduction Plan
This layoff round follows the October 2025 reduction of about 14,000 corporate roles and forms part of a broader restructuring effort that could see nearly 30,000 jobs eliminated by mid-2026. The cuts represent a substantial portion — around 10 percent — of Amazon’s corporate workforce, which globally includes roughly 350,000 white-collar employees, even though the company’s total headcount exceeds 1.5 million.
Amazon’s leadership has linked earlier cuts to efforts to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic layers, emphasising the need for a leaner structure that can adapt to evolving business priorities. The company has highlighted that restructuring isn’t solely about cost-cutting, but also about improving organisational efficiency and cultural alignment.
Which Departments May Be Affected
Although Amazon has not officially confirmed specifics, multiple reports suggest the layoffs will span several major divisions:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) — the company’s cloud computing arm that drives much of its revenue growth.
- Retail and e-commerce corporate teams — supporting strategy, logistics planning and merchandising.
- Prime Video and media units — amid ongoing content strategy reassessments.
- Human Resources and internal operations — including People Experience and Technology (PXT).
This reflects a focus on trimming mid-level and corporate roles rather than warehouse or frontline positions.
Impact on Indian Offices and Employees
Insiders and media reports also indicate that Indian corporate teams, especially in tech and support functions based in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, may be affected in this round. Previously, Indian roles were less impacted, but this phase may see a broader geographic footprint of job cuts.
Affected employees are likely to seek clarity on severance packages, health coverage and career transition support, topics that are drawing increased attention as the layoffs approach. The broader tech sector’s ongoing adjustments have heightened scrutiny on such large workforce reductions.
Broader Tech Layoff Trend
Amazon’s planned layoffs come amid a wider trend of job cuts across the global tech industry, where companies reassess headcounts in the face of changing demand, increasing automation and strategic pivots toward areas like AI, cloud computing and efficiency-driven operations.
As these layoffs take effect, they underscore how major tech players are recalibrating workforce strategies to align with shifting business models and competitive pressures in an evolving economic environment.
