Amazon rolls out expanded transition support for 16,000 employees impacted by recent organisational changes
Summary
Amazon has announced further organisational changes affecting around 16,000 roles worldwide. Senior Vice President Beth Galetti said the moves form part of ongoing efforts to streamline the business by reducing layers, boosting ownership and cutting bureaucracy. Some teams completed restructuring earlier, while others finalised changes only recently.
The company is prioritising internal redeployment: most US-based employees whose roles are affected will get up to 90 days to find alternative roles internally, with timelines varying overseas according to local laws. Those who do not secure a new role or opt out of redeployment will be offered transition support, including severance pay, outplacement services and continued health insurance where applicable.
Galetti stressed these reductions are intended to sharpen teams and do not signal a new pattern of frequent large-scale layoffs. Amazon says it remains committed to hiring and investing in strategic areas it considers crucial for long-term growth.
Key Points
- Approximately 16,000 roles globally are impacted by the latest organisational changes.
- Amazon emphasises redeployment: most affected US employees receive up to 90 days to pursue internal roles; international timelines follow local regulations.
- Transition support includes severance pay, outplacement services and continuation of health insurance where relevant.
- Changes are framed as part of efforts to reduce layers, increase ownership and remove bureaucracy, not as the start of recurring mass layoffs.
- Despite reductions, Amazon says it will continue hiring and investing in strategic areas for long-term growth.
Why should I read this
Short version: Amazon is trimming around 16,000 roles but is making a real push to move people internally and provide support if that fails. If you work in tech, HR, recruitment or the wider jobs market, this affects talent supply, hiring plans and outplacement demand — and could influence where Amazon hires next. Worth a quick read so you’re not caught off-guard.