Amazon Announces 16,000 Job Cuts Following Accidental Email Disclosure

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:55:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an unexpected turn of events, Amazon confirms it will reduce its workforce by 16,000 following a mistakenly sent email about layoffs.

Amazon has confirmed plans to cut 16,000 jobs, a decision made public through an accidental email that referenced layoffs involving staff in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica. The incident underlines ongoing restructuring efforts by the tech giant as part of its strategy to streamline operations and remove bureaucracy. While the move follows previous job cuts announced in October, the exact locations of the latest layoffs remain undisclosed.

Amazon Announces 16,000 Job Cuts Following Accidental Email Disclosure

In an unexpected turn of events, Amazon confirmed it will cut 16,000 jobs—hours after a mistakenly sent email revealed the company’s plan for layoffs. This communication referred specifically to affected employees in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica, prompting widespread concern among staff.

The email was sent late on Tuesday and quickly cancelled, indicating that employees had not yet been officially notified of the layoffs. Following the email's release, Amazon formally announced the job reductions on Wednesday, citing a need to remove bureaucracy and streamline operations.

Beth Galetti, Amazon's senior vice president of people experience and technology, stated, While many teams finalized their organizational changes in October, other teams did not complete that work until now. The current cuts come as part of a larger effort previously highlighted by the company to strengthen its structure.

Amazon employees had anticipated these layoffs based on rumors circulating for weeks, with some speculating that a total of around 30,000 roles would be affected across multiple restructuring initiatives. Details on which specific teams and locations will bear the brunt of these cuts remain unclear, but previous reductions have pointed to significant shifts within the company.

Project Dawn

The accidental email incident was linked to 'Project Dawn,' a reference to the broader plan for job redundancies. This was part of a strategic decision by Amazon under the leadership of CEO Andy Jassy, who has implemented rigorous changes in workplace culture and operational efficiency since taking over from founder Jeff Bezos.

Jassy's administration marks a departure from previous management styles, emphasizing in-office work and stringent cost-cutting measures across various departments. As the company navigates these turbulent times, it remains to be seen how these upcoming changes will impact its workforce and overall strategy moving forward.