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Amazon to lay off staff in U.S., Canada and Costa Rica by end of day

Published by Uma Rajagopal

Posted on January 19, 2023

1 min read

· Last updated: February 2, 2026

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Amazon delivery truck during layoffs announcement in U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica - Global Banking & Finance Review
An Amazon delivery truck is depicted, symbolizing the company's recent announcement of laying off 18,000 employees across the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica. This significant workforce reduction is part of Amazon's strategy to cut costs amid a challenging economic climate.
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(Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc will cut some jobs in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica by the end of Wednesday as part of its plan to lay off 18,000 employees, the e-commerce giant said in a memo to staff seen by Reuters. The layoffs are the latest in the U.S. technology sector, with companies cutting […]

(Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc will cut some jobs in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica by the end of Wednesday as part of its plan to lay off 18,000 employees, the e-commerce giant said in a memo to staff seen by Reuters.

The layoffs are the latest in the U.S. technology sector, with companies cutting their bloated workforce and slashing costs to reverse pandemic-era excesses and prepare for a worsening global economy.

The company is terminating 2,300 employees in Seattle and Bellevue, according to an update on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) site. The U.S. labor law requires companies planning a mass layoff to inform employees 60 days before the closure.

Amazon.com Chief Executive Andy Jassy said earlier this month the cuts, about 6% of the company’s roughly 300,000 corporate employees, would mostly impact the e-commerce and human resources divisions.

Microsoft said earlier on Wednesday it would cut about 10,000 jobs and take a $1.2-billion charge.

(Reporting by Tiyashi Datta, Eva Mathews and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Shinjini Ganguli, and Uttaresh.V)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a layoff?
A layoff is the termination of employees from their jobs, often due to economic conditions or company restructuring. It can be temporary or permanent and is typically part of cost-cutting measures.
What is corporate restructuring?
Corporate restructuring involves reorganizing a company's structure, operations, or finances to improve efficiency and profitability. This may include layoffs, mergers, or changes in management.

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