Amazon lays off employees in communications and sustainability units in latest round of cuts

Amazon is cutting jobs in its communications and sustainability divisions as part of an internal restructuring, according to a memo from Drew Herdener, the executive overseeing both areas. CNBC, which reviewed the memo, reported that the layoffs are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and optimize team structures.

“As we examined our current org design and decided on the shifts outlined above, we identified some roles that were too narrowly scoped or that introduced unnecessary layers, where we couldn’t solve the challenge by flattening the structure or shifting workloads,” Herdener wrote in the memo.

He continued, “To address this and do the right thing for the business, we’re eliminating a small number of roles in Communications and Sustainability. This is a difficult decision to make and one that my leadership team and I do not take lightly.”

The layoffs come just under two weeks after Amazon cut around 200 jobs in its North America stores division, which oversees key retail operations, including fashion, fitness, private label brands, Prime membership, and consumables.

Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser confirmed the layoffs, saying the changes are meant to speed up decision-making, improve accountability, and bring teams closer to customers. Bloomberg first reported the news.

Herdener noted that some employees might be rehired for different roles at lower levels, while others will be shifted to other departments. Those who are laid off will receive financial support, continued benefits, and job placement assistance.

The latest layoff is part of an ongoing effort by CEO Andy Jassy to cut costs, which has already resulted in over 27,000 job cuts across Amazon in 2022 and 2023. The company has continued making smaller workforce reductions this year while shutting down projects that haven’t been profitable, including its “Try Before You Buy” clothing program and a rapid brick-and-mortar delivery service, CNBC reported.

The restructuring follows years of expansion within Amazon’s communications and sustainability teams. Herdener’s role has grown to include corporate responsibility, which covers the sustainability group.

Amazon significantly increased hiring during the pandemic, with its global workforce swelling to more than 1.6 million by the end of 2021, up from 798,000 in late 2019. That number has since dipped slightly, but the company is still making adjustments to its workforce.

Alongside these job cuts, Amazon is modifying its office strategy to bring more employees into the same physical locations as its teams and managers. Herdener said leaders will decide which offices make the most sense for their teams.

Earlier this month, Amazon required corporate employees to return to the office five days a week. Some workers were told to relocate to designated office hubs in different states. Rather than moving, several employees opted to leave the company.

Amazon has also been restructuring management, aiming for fewer layers between employees and leadership.

Sustainability has been a major focus for the company, with commitments to carbon neutrality by 2040 and running all operations on renewable energy by 2025. Amazon has built a portfolio of over 500 wind and solar projects worldwide as part of that effort.

This latest round of layoffs suggests that the company is continuing to adjust its workforce and operations as it refines its long-term strategy.

With this layoff, Amazon joins a growing list of tech companies announcing workforce reductions. Layoffs.FYI, a platform tracking layoffs in the tech sector, reports that 24 tech companies have cut 5,641 jobs so far this year.