NEW YORK — Amazon has confirmed a significant escalation in its corporate restructuring efforts, announcing plans to eliminate approximately 16,000 positions globally. This decision expands upon the previously disclosed workforce reduction strategy initiated in October 2022, when the e-commerce conglomerate first indicated intentions to cut 14,000 roles.
According to senior vice president Beth Galetti, the substantial job cuts form part of a comprehensive organizational streamlining initiative designed to ‘reduce layers, increase ownership, and remove bureaucracy’ within the company’s operational framework. The restructuring primarily targets corporate and office-based positions rather than warehouse and distribution center personnel.
Media reports from late 2022 suggested Amazon’s total workforce reduction could eventually approach 30,000 positions, potentially affecting nearly 10% of the company’s 350,000 office employees worldwide. These cuts would represent approximately 2% of Amazon’s global workforce of 1.5 million, which remains predominantly composed of logistics and fulfillment center staff.
The company has declined to provide specific geographical or departmental breakdowns of the latest job reductions. In an official statement, Amazon indicated that ‘every team will continue to evaluate the ownership, speed, and capacity to invent for customers, and make adjustments as appropriate,’ suggesting potential further organizational changes.
This restructuring occurs alongside substantial investments in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, though Amazon has not explicitly connected the workforce reduction to these technological initiatives. The company is scheduled to release its full-year 2025 financial results on February 6, accompanied by a live broadcast of its earnings conference call, where executives may address the restructuring’s financial implications.