Amazon Targets Up to 30,000 Corporate Job Cuts Starting Tuesday: Massive Layoffs Amid Cost-Cutting Push

Amazon.com Inc. is bracing for its most significant workforce reduction in years, with plans to eliminate as many as 30,000 corporate positions starting Tuesday, October 29, 2025. According to Reuters, citing three sources familiar with the matter, the cuts—representing nearly 10% of Amazon's roughly 350,000 corporate employees—aim to trim expenses and offset overhiring during the pandemic's peak demand surge. While this figure is a fraction of the company's total 1.55 million global workforce, it marks the largest single round of layoffs since late 2022's 27,000 job eliminations.

An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the report, but the move aligns with ongoing efficiency drives under CEO Andy Jassy, who has emphasized "lean operations" since taking the helm in 2021. As Big Tech continues to navigate post-pandemic realities—slower growth, inflation pressures, and AI investments—these cuts signal a broader reckoning in the sector.

The Scale: 30,000 Jobs—What It Means for Amazon's Empire

The impending layoffs target Amazon's corporate ranks, including roles in engineering, product management, and operations—far from the warehouse and fulfillment centers that form the bulk of its labor force. This would dwarf the 18,000 cuts in 2023 and the 10,000 in early 2023, focusing on non-customer-facing functions to streamline bureaucracy. Sources indicate notifications could roll out in waves over the coming weeks, with severance packages likely including extended benefits and outplacement support, per Amazon's standard protocol.

Amazon's stock (AMZN) dipped 0.8% in after-hours trading following the report, reflecting investor concerns over execution risks amid a robust Q3 earnings outlook expected November 7. The e-commerce behemoth, valued at over $2 trillion, has invested heavily in AI and logistics, but faces margin squeezes from rising labor costs and competition from rivals like Walmart and Shopify.

Why Now? Pandemic Hangover and Efficiency Overdrive

The cuts stem from a "corporate bloat" critique Jassy voiced in internal memos, blaming rapid pandemic hiring for duplicative roles and slowed decision-making. Amazon ballooned its workforce from 800,000 in 2019 to 1.6 million by 2021, fueled by e-commerce booms and AWS cloud dominance—but demand normalized post-2022, exposing inefficiencies.

Broader context: Tech giants like Meta (11,000 cuts in 2022) and Google (12,000 in 2023) have similarly pruned, with 2025 seeing a wave of AI-driven restructurings. For Amazon, this could free up $2-3 billion annually in payroll, redirecting funds to generative AI tools like Rufus and Project Amelia. Employees express mixed sentiments on Blind forums: Relief for "leaner teams" versus anxiety over morale dips.

Employee Fallout, Market Ripples, and What's Next

The layoffs could hit Seattle headquarters hardest, where corporate density is highest, potentially straining local economies already reeling from Microsoft's 1,900 cuts earlier this year. Severance is expected to mirror 2023's: 60 days' pay per year of service, plus health coverage extensions. Unions like the Teamsters have criticized the moves as "heartless," urging better worker protections.

Wall Street views it as prudent: Analysts at Seeking Alpha note it could boost EPS by 5-7% in 2026. Amazon's next earnings call may provide clarity, but for now, the focus shifts to affected teams—many in AWS and Prime Video.

A Leaner Amazon in a Tough Tech Landscape

Amazon's 30,000-job purge underscores the end of pandemic excess, prioritizing agility in an AI-fueled era. While painful for workers, it positions the giant for sustained dominance—but at what human cost? As cuts begin Tuesday, watch for ripple effects across retail and cloud computing.

Thoughts on Amazon's strategy? Share in the comments—job seekers, what's your take?

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