The question when will Amazon layoffs happen now has a clear answer: Amazon will begin cutting up to 30,000 corporate jobs starting this week, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. This marks one of the largest rounds of corporate layoffs in the company’s history, representing nearly 10% of its 350,000-person corporate workforce.
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When will Amazon layoffs happen? That moment is here. The company has confirmed plans to begin major workforce reductions this week, with notifications expected to go out to corporate employees beginning October 28, 2025. The move is part of Amazon’s effort to streamline operations, lower costs, and reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
Why the layoffs are happening
Amazon’s decision to cut tens of thousands of jobs stems from several key factors:
- Pandemic overhiring: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon dramatically expanded its workforce to meet soaring e-commerce demand. As consumer habits shifted back toward in-person shopping, that level of staffing became unsustainable.
- Automation and AI integration: Amazon is investing heavily in AI and automation, reducing the need for certain traditional corporate roles.
- Efficiency drive: CEO Andy Jassy has emphasized cost discipline and restructuring to improve efficiency and profit margins.
- Economic environment: Inflation and slowing retail growth in 2025 have added pressure for large tech companies, including Amazon, to cut expenses and sharpen their focus on profitable segments.
The layoffs primarily target corporate divisions such as human resources (PXT – People Experience & Technology), devices and services, operations, and portions of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) division.
When exactly will the layoffs happen?
| Phase | Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial notifications | October 28, 2025 | Employees will begin receiving notifications early this week. |
| Scope of reduction | Up to 30,000 corporate jobs | Approximately 10% of Amazon’s corporate staff. |
| Focus areas | Corporate and tech divisions | Most affected areas include HR, Devices & Services, and AWS. |
| Other roles | Warehouse and logistics staff largely unaffected | The cuts are primarily focused on office-based jobs. |
What this means for employees and the company
The upcoming job cuts will send shockwaves across Amazon’s global corporate workforce. Many employees have already been briefed that cost-cutting will affect non-revenue-generating roles. Some managers underwent training in recent weeks to prepare for delivering layoff notifications compassionately and confidentially.
For Amazon as a company, these reductions serve multiple purposes:
- Lean operations: Eliminating layers of management and redundant teams to simplify decision-making.
- Shift toward AI: Using automation tools to handle tasks previously managed by large teams of analysts, HR staff, and program managers.
- Focus on growth segments: Redirecting investment toward AWS, Prime Video, and advertising—business units that continue to grow rapidly.
Although the layoffs are substantial, the move aligns Amazon with broader trends across the tech industry, where firms are reducing headcounts to strengthen financial performance and prepare for long-term AI adoption.
How this compares to past Amazon layoffs
This isn’t Amazon’s first large-scale job cut, but it is its biggest.
- 2022–2023: Amazon eliminated roughly 27,000 roles in phases, citing over-expansion during the pandemic.
- 2025: The current 30,000-job reduction surpasses all previous cuts, marking a record corporate downsizing.
- Industry context: Other tech giants—such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft—have also implemented significant layoffs this year as they pivot toward automation and AI-driven efficiencies.
What happens next
Amazon’s internal communications indicate that employees will begin receiving layoff notices throughout the week of October 28. Impacted workers will receive severance packages based on tenure, along with extended health benefits and job placement assistance.
The company is expected to discuss the layoffs in its upcoming Q3 2025 earnings report, highlighting cost savings and reinvestment plans for strategic areas like AI, cloud infrastructure, and retail innovation.
Employees in the United States, particularly at the Seattle and Arlington corporate offices, will be the most affected. Some overseas divisions may see smaller workforce adjustments later this year, depending on local labor regulations.
Key takeaways
- The answer to when will Amazon layoffs happen is October 28, 2025, with notifications starting this week.
- Up to 30,000 corporate employees—about 10% of Amazon’s office-based workforce—are affected.
- The layoffs are driven by a combination of overhiring, economic pressure, and AI adoption.
- Warehouse and logistics roles are mostly safe, as these teams are essential to Amazon’s physical operations.
- The company is refocusing on profitability, automation, and high-growth business segments such as AWS and advertising.
The broader impact on the tech job market
Amazon’s large-scale layoffs signal continued turbulence in the U.S. tech sector. Many companies are re-evaluating workforce sizes as artificial intelligence reshapes job functions. Recruiters and analysts predict that displaced Amazon employees—especially in HR, marketing, and mid-management roles—may face a competitive job market in early 2026.
However, demand for AI engineers, data scientists, and cloud specialists remains strong. The shift may open new opportunities for those willing to reskill in technical areas aligned with Amazon’s long-term vision.
Closing Line:
As Amazon begins implementing its largest workforce reduction to date, all eyes will be on how the tech giant balances cost-cutting with innovation. Share your thoughts below on how you think this will reshape the future of work at Amazon and across the broader tech industry.