In an unexpected move, Amazon employees across the United States woke up to text messages informing them that their positions had been eliminated. The company sent two text messages to affected workers before dawn—one instructing them to check their email and another offering a help desk number if they hadn’t received details about their role. These messages followed emails that confirmed the layoffs, effectively deactivating employee badges to prevent them from entering offices. This round of workforce reduction affects around 14,000 employees across several departments, marking yet another phase in Amazon’s effort to streamline operations.
The move has triggered debate about the growing trend of companies especially in the tech sector—using impersonal digital notifications for layoffs. Critics argue that it highlights a lack of empathy in corporate restructuring, a pattern now mirrored by other tech giants like Google and Tesla. Amazon justified its decision as a measure to reduce confusion and avoid disruption at office locations nationwide.
According to HR chief Beth Galetti, affected employees will continue receiving full pay and benefits for 90 days, along with severance packages and job placement support. In her internal message, Galetti acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision while emphasizing the company’s need to adapt to rapid technological change. She noted that artificial intelligence has become a transformative force reshaping how Amazon operates and innovates.
Internal emails accessed by Business Insider detailed how the layoffs were executed, outlining restricted badge access, pay continuity, and guidance for returning company property. Amazon’s HR team pledged round-the-clock assistance to ensure a smoother transition for displaced workers. The layoffs come at a critical time, as Amazon gears up for what analysts predict could be a record-breaking holiday quarter with over $140 billion in projected sales, even as the company tightens operations to stay competitive in the age of AI.
