Amazon

I want to let you know that we're making additional organizational 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.

Translation: We are conducting another round of layoffs. Calling them "organizational changes" sounds more strategic and less alarming than "we are eliminating jobs." We know this news will be unpopular, so we're getting ahead of the narrative before people start counting how many colleagues disappear from Slack.

As I shared in October, we've been working to strengthen our organization 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.

Translation: We started cutting management layers and headcount months ago but hadn't finished yet. "Reducing layers" means fewer managers. "Increasing ownership" means giving the remaining employees more work without paying them more. "Removing bureaucracy" means some combination of eliminating meetings, eliminating approval chains, and especially eliminating the people who participated in them.

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.

Translation: We are eliminating approximately 16,000 jobs. Before officially terminating employees, we'll give many of them a chance to compete for the smaller number of jobs that remain. For those who are unsuccessful, we'll provide severance and transition benefits. These programs help reduce legal risk, reputational damage, and the number of angry LinkedIn posts that start with "After an incredible journey..."

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.

Translation: We are continuing to hire despite these layoffs. This serves two purposes: first, it tells our shareholders that we're a healthy business. Second, it helps us keep tightening the screws on the remaining employees: we're already interviewing your potential replacements.

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.

Translation: We understand that after several rounds of layoffs, employees are wondering whether layoffs have become a recurring business process. Officially, the answer is no. Unofficially, we reserve the right to continue evaluating every team based on productivity, cost, and strategic priorities. "Make adjustments as appropriate" is corporate language for "we'll do whatever the fuck we want."

I'm grateful for how our teams continue to deliver – for customers, for each other, and for the incredible things we're building together.

Translation: Thank you to everyone who remains employed. We appreciate your hard work, resilience, and professionalism during yet another workforce reduction. We are counting on the survivors to maintain output despite having fewer coworkers, fewer managers, and a fresh reminder that employment is ultimately subject to quarterly business decisions.

Thank you, Beth

Translation: Fuck you, Beth