Amazon to cut 16,000 roles
Amazon has announced that “approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon” are at risk as part of organisational changes.
This message, written by Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology at Amazon, was shared with Amazon employees earlier:
” I want to let you know that we’re making additional organisational changes across Amazon that will impact some of our teammates. I recognize this is difficult news, which is why I’m sharing what’s happening and why.
As I shared in October, we’ve been working to strengthen our organisation by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy. While many teams finalized their organizational changes in October, other teams did not complete that work until now.
The reductions we are making today will impact approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon, and we’re again working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted. That starts with offering most US-based employees 90 days to look for a new role internally (timing will vary internationally based on local and country level requirements). Then, for teammates who are unable to find a new role at Amazon or who choose not to look for one, we’ll provide transition support including severance pay, outplacement services, health insurance benefits (as applicable), and more.
While we’re making these changes, we’ll also continue hiring and investing in strategic areas and functions that are critical to our future. We’re still in the early stages of building every one of our businesses and there’s significant opportunity ahead.
Some of you might ask if this is the beginning of a new rhythm – where we announce broad reductions every few months. That’s not our plan. But just as we always have, every team will continue to evaluate the ownership, speed, and capacity to invent for customers, and make adjustments as appropriate. That’s never been more important than it is today in a world that’s changing faster than ever.
I’m grateful for how our teams continue to deliver – for customers, for each other, and for the incredible things we’re building together.
GMB union has responded to Amazon’s announcement. Rachel Fagan, GMB Organiser, said:
“Amazon is showing itself for what it is; a company that cannot be trusted to do the right thing by working people in the UK.
“Bosses are overseeing thousands of job losses which will cause huge damage in towns and cities across the country.
“Now is the time for decision makers to recognise Amazon as a company fixated on eye-watering profits at the expense of workers and local people.”
