Inside Amazon's Latest Layoffs: How Employees Received Termination Notices and What Comes Next

Amazon employees discovered their job terminations through two text messages last Tuesday. The first message instructed them to check their email before heading to work, while the second advised them to contact a help desk if they hadn't received an email regarding their position.

These text messages, delivered shortly after the official email notifications, were strategically sent to prevent terminated employees from arriving at offices only to find their access badges had been deactivated.

Subsequently, employees received a formal email from Beth Galetti, Amazon's Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, confirming the layoffs and detailing the next steps, according to Business Insider.

"I have some important, but difficult, news to share with you," Galetti wrote in her message. "After a thorough review of our organisation, our priorities, and what we need to focus on going forward, we've made the hard business decision to eliminate some roles across Amazon. Unfortunately, your role is being eliminated, and your employment will end after a non-working period."

Galetti assured affected employees that Amazon would provide full pay and benefits during the transition period, along with severance packages, skills training opportunities, and job placement assistance.

"We didn't make these decisions lightly, and we're committed to supporting you throughout this transition," she stated in the email.

The communication informed employees that their badge access had already been restricted and instructed those present in offices to seek security assistance to exit the building. "As of now, you are no longer required to perform work on Amazon's behalf, and will receive your full pay and benefits for the next 90 days," the email explained.

These layoffs are part of Amazon's most recent corporate restructuring effort, affecting approximately 14,000 positions across the company.

CEO Andy Jassy indicated that this workforce reduction aims to streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy, and accelerate the implementation of AI and automation technologies. The divisions most impacted include Human Resources (People Experience & Technology), Devices & Services, and Operations departments.