Amazon confirms 16,000 job cuts after accidental email

28-Jan-2026

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US technology giant Amazon has confirmed it will cut 16,000 jobs - hours after it told staff about a new round of global redundancies in an email apparently sent in error.

The email, which has been seen by the BBC, was sent late on Tuesday and refers to a swathe of employees in the US, Canada and Costa Rica having been laid off as part of an effort to "strengthen the company."

The message was apparently shared by mistake, as it was quickly cancelled.

On Jan 28, Amazon announced job reductions as part of a plan to "remove bureaucracy" at the firm.

Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, said on Wednesday it was not planning to make "broad reductions every few months", referring to Amazon's announcement of 14,000 job cuts in October.