Amazon Layoffs 2026: AWS Employees Accidentally Notified Early as Internal Email Misfires Ahead of Major Job Cuts

Amazon Accidentally Alerts Cloud Unit Staff to Job Cuts Ahead of Official Announcement

San Francisco, Jan 27 (Reuters) — Amazon Inc. (AMZN.O) found itself at the center of internal confusion after mistakenly sending an email to Amazon Web Services (AWS) employees that prematurely suggested layoffs had already occurred. The communication error came just days before Amazon is expected to officially announce a new round of corporate job cuts.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of Amazon’s ongoing workforce restructuring, which is expected to impact thousands of employees across multiple business units.

What Exactly Went Wrong at Amazon?

Premature Email Sparks Panic Among AWS Employees

According to emails and internal messages reviewed by Reuters, Amazon mistakenly circulated a commiseration email and meeting invitation to AWS employees several hours before impacted staff were officially notified.

The email:

• Suggested layoffs had already been communicated
• Mentioned multiple countries including the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica
• Was followed by a sudden cancellation of a scheduled team meeting

This unexpected sequence of events led to confusion, anxiety, and widespread discussion on internal Slack channels.

Email Signed by Senior AWS Executive

Colleen Aubrey’s Message Referenced Job Losses Incorrectly

The email was signed by Colleen Aubrey, Senior Vice President of Applied AI Solutions at Amazon Web Services. In the message, Aubrey acknowledged the difficulty of organizational changes and emphasized Amazon’s focus on long-term success.

“Changes like this are hard on everyone. These decisions are difficult and are made thoughtfully as we position our organization and AWS for future success.”

However, the email incorrectly stated that affected employees had already been informed — something Amazon had not yet done at the time.

‘Project Dawn’: The Internal Codename Behind the Layoffs

Mysterious Initiative Referenced, Then Quickly Pulled Back

The subject line and content of the email referred to an internal project called “Project Dawn.” Employees were invited to attend a Wednesday morning meeting related to this initiative.

Shortly after the email was sent:

• The meeting invite was canceled
• The email appeared to be recalled or invalidated
• Internal Slack conversations surged with speculation

Amazon has not officially clarified what “Project Dawn” represents.

Amazon Yet to Officially Confirm Layoff Details

Company Remains Silent Despite Reports

Although Reuters reported last week that Amazon planned to lay off thousands of corporate employees starting this week, the company has:

• Not officially confirmed the number of layoffs
• Not disclosed the full list of affected teams
• Not issued a public statement addressing the email mishap

Amazon also did not respond immediately to requests for comment from Reuters or CNBC.

Layoffs Are Part of a Larger 30,000 Job Reduction Plan

Corporate Workforce Facing Deep Cuts

The current round of layoffs is part of a broader strategy announced in October, when Amazon revealed plans to eliminate approximately 30,000 corporate roles.

Key context:

• 14,000 corporate employees were already laid off in October
• The remaining cuts are expected to roll out through 2026
• Nearly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce could be affected

Despite the large number, these cuts represent a relatively small portion of Amazon’s 1.58 million total employees worldwide.

Which Amazon Divisions Are Likely to Be Impacted?

Multiple Business Units Under Review

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the layoffs could affect several key divisions, including:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Retail and Stores
• Prime Video
• Human Resources
• Grocery operations

The full scope of Wednesday’s cuts remains unclear.

Grocery Business Restructuring Adds to Job Losses

Amazon Fresh and Go Stores Face Closures

Earlier on Tuesday, Amazon confirmed layoffs in its Amazon Fresh grocery and Amazon Go convenience store divisions.

The company plans to:

• Close select brick-and-mortar stores
• Convert some locations into Whole Foods outlets
• Focus more heavily on online grocery delivery

Amazon did not disclose how many employees would be affected by these changes.

AI and Automation Driving Workforce Reductions

Amazon Links Job Cuts to Artificial Intelligence

In an October blog post, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s Chief Human Resources Officer, explained that job cuts were directly linked to increased adoption of artificial intelligence and automation.

According to Galetti:

• AI tools are improving efficiency across teams
• Fewer roles are needed as systems scale
• Additional layoffs are likely in the future

The misfired email referenced a follow-up blog post by Galetti, which has not yet been published.

CEO Andy Jassy on Cutting Bureaucracy

“Removing Layers” to Improve Efficiency

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has repeatedly stated that the company aims to reduce:

• Excess management layers
• Internal bureaucracy
• Slow decision-making processes

In earlier remarks, Jassy predicted that AI-driven efficiency gains would gradually shrink Amazon’s corporate workforce over time.

Earnings Report Looms Amid Workforce Uncertainty

Amazon to Report Q4 Results on February 5

Amazon is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings after market close on February 5. Investors are expected to closely examine:

• Cost-cutting measures
• AI investment returns
• Workforce restructuring impacts

The internal email mishap adds pressure as Amazon seeks to reassure both employees and shareholders.

Conclusion: Communication Error Highlights Challenges of Large-Scale Layoffs

Amazon’s accidental early notification to AWS employees highlights the complexity of managing mass layoffs within a global organization. As the company accelerates its shift toward AI-driven efficiency and leaner corporate structures, effective internal communication will be critical.

With thousands of jobs potentially on the line and more restructuring expected in 2026, Amazon faces the dual challenge of maintaining employee trust while executing one of its largest corporate transformations to date.