Amazon confirms the dismissal of 16,000 employees globally

Amazon is accelerating the reduction of its workforce. The company has just shaken the technology sector by announcing the elimination of approximately 16,000 jobs worldwide. According to the official statement, which has also been sent to the entire company staff, this move is presented as the culmination of a restructuring process that began last year with a clear objective: to reduce bureaucracy and simplify the internal hierarchy.

As we had previously reported last week, the company is thus completing its plan to cut nearly 30,000 corporate positions, which was announced several months ago and began with the layoff of 14,000 employees last October. Although Amazon has more than 1.5 million employees globally, this reduction is focused exclusively on corporate staff, where it represents approximately 10% of the total workforce. This is the largest round of layoffs in the company’s 30-year history, even exceeding the 27,000 job cuts recorded in 2022.

A decision based on… the elimination of bureaucracy?

Regardless of whether you agree with the decision, are concerned about it, or find it reasonable, the company’s management, through Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, unequivocally justifies this move under the premise of “increasing agility.” They are seeking more streamlined teams with greater decision-making capacity, eliminating intermediate layers that were slowing down innovation.

“As we implement these changes, we will also continue to hire and invest in areas and strategic functions that are crucial for our future. We are still in the early stages of developing each of our businesses and have significant potential ahead,” Galetti clarified.

A new wave of layoffs?

The statement recognizes that one of the workforce’s greatest concerns is whether these announcements will become a quarterly routine. The company has been clear: “It is not our plan.” However, they warn that, in an ever-changing world, each team must constantly assess its capacity to innovate and adjust its size as necessary. “This has never been as important as it is now in a world that is changing faster than ever,” the executive added.

Despite the cuts, Amazon assures that it will continue hiring in critical areas for its future. In fact, at least in the United States, employees will have 90 days to seek new internal roles. Globally, the timeframe will depend on local legislation.

Image: Gemini