A significant development has emerged regarding Amazon’s workforce, with reports indicating the company plans to cut around 30,000 corporate jobs. This strategic move is reportedly intended to help the company manage expenses and address what it perceives as overhiring during the heightened demand experienced at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Media Reacts to Amazon Layoff Rumors
The news has already generated a considerable buzz online. A widely shared sentiment on Reddit, where a user commented, “Layoffs will continue,” reflects a broader concern about job stability in the industry. Others speculate that the “real reason” behind these decisions might be more complex, with some hinting at the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
The potential job cuts are seen as particularly concerning for job seekers. One comment highlighted the increased competition, stating, “This is bad news for anyone looking for a job, not just Amazon folks. You’ll be competing with thousands of laid-off FAANG engineers for jobs.” Another perspective voiced frustration with corporate practices, suggesting, “Amazon treats workers like s**t. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a highly educated developer or a delivery driver. You’re basically just a sacrificable pawn.” The recurring excuse of “pandemic overhiring” also drew criticism, with one user questioning, “Wonder how many more years companies are gonna be able to milk the pandemic overhiring excuse.”
Scale of the Layoffs and Affected Departments
According to Reuters, the planned layoffs represent about 10% of Amazon’s approximately 350,000 corporate employees. While the company has a massive global workforce of around 1.55 million, these cuts would mark Amazon’s most substantial job reductions since late 2022.
Sources indicate that managers of affected teams have received specialized training to navigate conversations with employees who will be notified of their termination. The cuts are expected to impact several key departments, including human resources (known as People Experience and Technology), devices and services, and operations. This follows smaller-scale layoffs that have been occurring across various divisions over the past two years.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has previously spoken about the potential for AI to drive further job reductions, particularly in roles involving repetitive and routine tasks, a topic that continues to be a significant focus for the company.