Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a move that stunned thousands, Amazon has reportedly laid off around 14,000 employees, notifying many through early morning text messages. The abrupt communication marked another wave of Amazon layoffs in 2025, signaling continued restructuring at one of the world’s largest tech employers.

According to reports, affected workers received two text messages just minutes apart. The first asked them to check their email before arriving at work, while the second provided a help desk number for clarification. These notifications followed email messages that detailed the layoff process — a move designed to prevent employees from arriving at offices where their badge access had already been disabled.

The unusual method of announcing layoffs through text has sparked discussions about the impersonal nature of corporate downsizing. Similar tactics have been observed across other major tech companies, including Google and Tesla, as firms strive to reduce costs amid growing automation and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Amazon’s HR head, Beth Galetti, addressed the affected staff in an internal message, expressing that the decision was not made lightly. She confirmed that laid-off employees would receive 90 days of full pay and benefits, severance packages, and access to job placement services. “We’re committed to supporting every employee through this transition,” Galetti said.

She further acknowledged that AI advancements are reshaping Amazon’s operational model, calling the current generation of artificial intelligence “the most transformative technology since the Internet.” Galetti emphasized that automation is helping Amazon innovate faster but also requires the company to “streamline operations.”

The latest round of job cuts primarily affects Amazon’s retail management divisions, continuing a downsizing trend that began in 2024. Analysts believe the layoffs are intended to position Amazon for a more efficient and technology-driven future as it prepares for a record-breaking holiday quarter, projected to exceed $140 billion in sales.

While the company maintains that these decisions are necessary for long-term innovation and competitiveness, the method of communication — through automated texts — has drawn sharp criticism for its lack of empathy. As Amazon leans further into AI-powered systems, the human impact of such restructuring continues to raise tough questions about the balance between efficiency and compassion in modern workplaces

#world news #Global News