Amazon Laying Off 30,000 Workers — But Its Stock Is Rising

Amazon is cutting up to 30,000 corporate jobs — nearly 10% of its white-collar workforce — in what’s being called the largest layoff in company history. The move comes as CEO Andy Jassy pushes to streamline operations, flatten management layers, and reduce costs after years of rapid expansion.

The cuts will span human resources, operations, devices, and services, and could reach 15% in HR alone. While Amazon trims its corporate ranks, it’s still hiring 250,000 seasonal workers to handle holiday demand.

Amazon’s total global headcount remains over 1.54 million, making it the second-largest private employer in the U.S., behind Walmart. Analysts say this restructuring marks a major shift toward AI automation and leaner operations after the post-pandemic hiring surge.