Amazon is apparently preparing for another round of job cuts, with layoffs scheduled to begin around January 27. According to several reports, the current phase would affect around 16,000 employees worldwide and is part of a larger reorganization plan that could eliminate nearly 30,000 corporate functions by mid-2026. India-based teams are expected to be among the most impacted by this round.
Employee discussions on forums such as Blind, Reddit, and LinkedIn indicate that the layoffs will occur across several geographies and divisions. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, retail operations, and the People Experience and Technology (PXT) division, which manages human resources, are all reportedly at risk. Corporate teams in Indian IT hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are viewed as especially vulnerable.
Amazon’s restructuring efforts began in late 2025, when the company eliminated around 14,000 white-collar jobs in October as part of the initial phase. Staff members pointed to internal communications as evidence that management has indicated more cuts are on the horizon. Some reports suggest that employees on performance improvement plans may be informed about their status sooner than their peers.
There is also evidence that advance notices have already been given in some areas. Earlier sources suggested that 1,000 to 2,000 employees may have received WARN notifications, which are required by US law before major layoffs. Amazon has not confirmed the timing or scope of the proposed job cuts.
According to CEO Andy Jassy, the layoffs are intended to make structural changes rather than decrease costs in the short term. He has cited excessive bureaucracy and layers of management as obstacles to speed and innovation. While Amazon claims the cuts are not primarily driven by AI, the business continues to automate internal procedures, which contributes to lower demand for some administrative and support functions.
