Amazon, the online retail giant, has announced its intention to cut 16,000 jobs worldwide. Although specific details on the impacted locations were not disclosed, reports suggest that the effect on the UK market may be limited. The reduction is expected to touch various sectors within the company, including Amazon Web Services, retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources.
This recent downsizing initiative follows a prior announcement in October last year when Amazon, led by founder Jeff Bezos with a net worth of £180 billion, revealed 14,000 job cuts.
In a communication to employees, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, acknowledged the challenging news and the reasons behind the decision. Galetti reassured that the approximately 16,000 affected roles will receive support during this transition period.
Notably, U.S. employees facing job losses will be given a 90-day window to seek internal job opportunities or opt for severance packages. Galetti emphasized that while downsizing is underway, Amazon remains committed to hiring and investing in critical areas essential for the company’s future growth.
Regarding the potential for future layoffs, Galetti clarified that Amazon does not intend to implement frequent broad reductions. She highlighted the company’s continuous evaluation of operational efficiency and innovation capacity to cater to evolving customer needs in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Amazon faced an internal communication mishap as its Web Services division inadvertently notified employees of the impending layoffs through an email and a premature meeting invitation. The error was promptly rectified as the planned Wednesday meeting was canceled following the premature message.
Please note your data privacy is important to us. By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies and agree to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.