Amazon is continuing its restructuring efforts with layoffs affecting employees in its communications and sustainability divisions. This news, announced internally on Wednesday by Drew Herdener, who oversees public relations and corporate responsibility, comes as the company streamlines its organizational structure and adjusts to a post-pandemic world.
In a memo to staff, Herdener explained that the job cuts are part of a broader review of the “current org design” within these divisions. He cited the need to eliminate “narrowly scoped roles” and “unnecessary layers” as the primary reasons for the layoffs according to a report from Bloomberg.
“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. “To address this and do the right thing for the business, we’re eliminating a small number of roles in Communications and Sustainability.”
While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, Herdener acknowledged the difficulty of this decision and emphasized that Amazon will provide financial support, continued benefits, and job placement assistance to those impacted.
Streamlining and Reorganizing for Efficiency
These layoffs follow a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by CEO Andy Jassy, who took over from founder Jeff Bezos in 2021. Since then, Amazon has eliminated over 27,000 jobs in 2022 and 2023, with smaller rounds of cuts continuing into 2025.
Herdener explained that the communications and sustainability organizations “grew quite a bit” in recent years, necessitating a streamlining process. He also highlighted changes to Amazon’s “hub strategy,” which dictates the primary office locations for teams. The goal is to have “more team members working in the same physical location as the majority of their teammates and/or manager.”
This shift aligns with Amazon’s recent mandate requiring corporate employees to spend five days a week in the office. The company has also been encouraging employees to relocate to hub locations and aims to flatten its corporate structure by reducing the number of managers.
Balancing Sustainability with Efficiency
Despite the layoffs, Amazon maintains its commitment to sustainability. The company has set ambitious goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and powering its operations with renewable energy by 2025. It has invested heavily in wind and solar projects globally to support these initiatives.
However, the layoffs within the sustainability team raise questions about how these cuts might impact Amazon’s ability to achieve its environmental goals. The company has yet to address these concerns directly.
Navigating a Changing Landscape
Amazon’s restructuring efforts reflect the challenges faced by many tech companies in a post-pandemic world. After rapid expansion during the pandemic, companies are now adjusting to changing economic conditions and evolving workplace dynamics.
The layoffs in communications and sustainability, coupled with the push for a return to office and a flatter organizational structure, signal Amazon’s focus on efficiency and streamlining its operations. While these changes may be necessary for the company’s long-term success, they also highlight the challenges faced by employees navigating an uncertain and evolving workplace.
Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help. You can follow Luke on X HERE.