Amazon Layoffs 2026: Up to 16,000 Jobs Expected to Be Cut Next Week

Even though the first month of 2026 is just beginning, the year is already seeing significant workforce reductions. Amazon is reportedly planning to cut approximately 16,000 positions next week. These layoffs are expected to be part of a previously announced plan to eliminate nearly 30,000 jobs over the coming months.

In October 2025, Reuters reported that Amazon intended to lay off around 30,000 employees, with the initial round affecting roughly 14,000 positions. That round has already been executed. Now, sources indicate that the second wave, beginning January 27, 2026, will impact another 16,000 workers, making it one of Amazon’s largest workforce reductions in recent years.

While Amazon has not officially confirmed the reasons for these layoffs, speculation points to AI and automation as key drivers. If rumors circulating on platforms like Blind and Reddit are accurate, these cuts would bring total recent job losses close to 30,000, in addition to the 27,000 positions eliminated in 2023.

According to posts by employees on Blind, Amazon plans to disclose official figures around January 27. Several alleged Amazon employees, including staff from AWS and corporate teams, claim that internal discussions about layoffs have already taken place. Reports indicate that employees on performance improvement plans (PIPs) may be notified of impending layoffs a few days before the broader workforce.

It is important to note that Amazon has not formally announced a new round of layoffs. According to a January 9, 2026, Newsweek report, between 1,000 and 2,000 employees received WARN notices on January 26. Under US law, mass layoffs require at least 60 days’ notice via the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system.

The layoffs are expected to extend across global teams, including Amazon offices in India, suggesting the total impact could be even larger than initially reported.

Which Teams Are Most Likely to Be Affected

This round of layoffs is anticipated to focus on high-paying corporate positions, differing from pandemic-era reductions which primarily targeted retail and warehouse operations. Sources suggest that the largest cuts may come from Amazon’s HR division, People Experience and Technology (PXT), as well as administrative teams.

Amazon is actively reducing its corporate workforce as it accelerates the adoption of AI-driven solutions for hiring, performance monitoring, and internal processes.

The layoffs are also reportedly affecting Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s primary revenue generator. Although AWS continues to expand, its growth is reportedly slower than that of competitors. As a result, Amazon is expected to cut administrative, program management, and legacy support positions in AWS, reallocating funds toward data center investments and generative AI initiatives.

Automation and Workforce Restructuring

Amazon has openly acknowledged that AI is transforming the workplace. CEO Andy Jassy has emphasized efforts to reduce what he calls “managerial bloat,” streamline decision-making, and flatten the organizational hierarchy. Over the past year, employees have witnessed team consolidations, role eliminations, and higher expectations, requiring fewer staff members to handle increasingly complex workloads.

This upcoming round of layoffs highlights the broader trend of AI-driven workforce restructuring, reflecting Amazon’s strategy to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.