Amazon has confirmed a significant workforce reduction, eliminating 16,000 positions worldwide. This move marks the company’s second major round of layoffs in recent months, following a previous announcement of 14,000 job cuts.
The official notification to staff came hours after an internal error prematurely revealed the plans. A draft email detailing the layoffs, referred to internally as “Project Dawn,” was inadvertently included in a meeting invitation sent to Amazon Web Services employees before being canceled. The erroneous message incorrectly stated that affected workers in the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica had already been notified.
In a communication to employees, Amazon leadership stated the organizational changes are intended to streamline operations by “reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy.” The company emphasized that this should not be interpreted as the start of a regular pattern of quarterly layoffs.
While the cuts are expected to primarily impact U.S.-based corporate and technology roles, positions in other regions, including the United Kingdom, may also be affected. Amazon stated it will continue hiring in strategic areas critical to its future. Affected U.S. employees will be given a 90-day period to seek another role within the company.
This latest restructuring continues Amazon’s efforts to adjust its workforce following a period of rapid expansion. The news coincides with announcements from other major firms, including delivery giant UPS, which plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it reevaluates its business relationship with Amazon.