Amazon has initiated another round of job cuts in the United States, this time targeting 84 positions in the state of Washington. According to a recent filing with the state government, these reductions are distinct from the massive 14,000 corporate layoffs the tech giant announced globally in October.
Details of the Latest Workforce Adjustment
The company submitted a notice under Washington's updated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. This law mandates that employers disclose all terminations occurring within 90 days of a prior notice. The separations are scheduled to take place between February 2 and February 23, 2026, impacting employees across more than 30 office locations in Seattle and Bellevue, plus six remote workers based in Washington.
In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser described the move as a result of individual business decisions. "We've informed a relatively small number of employees that their roles will be eliminated," Glasser said. He emphasized that the company does not take such decisions lightly and is supporting affected staff with 90 days of full pay and benefits, transitional health coverage, and job placement services.
Which Roles Are Impacted?
The filing reveals that the job cuts span a variety of functions and seniority levels. The affected positions include:
- Software development engineers
- Program managers and product managers
- Recruiters and HR specialists
- UX designers
These roles range from entry-level positions to directors and principals. Amazon noted that employees were notified starting in early November, receiving at least 89 days' advance notice, which exceeds the 60-day minimum required by state law. The company also stated that those who secure internal transfers before their separation date will avoid being laid off.
A Broader Context of Streamlining
This latest action is part of an ongoing effort by CEO Andy Jassy to streamline Amazon's operations. In October, the company had disclosed plans to lay off 2,303 corporate employees in Washington state alone, providing the first geographic breakdown of its wider 14,000 job cuts announced earlier that month.
Jassy has previously indicated that the increased adoption of artificial intelligence tools could lead to further workforce adjustments by automating routine tasks. A memo from HR chief Beth Galetti signaled that such organizational reviews and potential cutbacks are expected to continue into 2026, framing them as a routine part of business management.
Amazon maintains that the newly announced 84 job cuts are not connected to these broader workforce actions but are instead regular organizational adjustments made by individual business units.
