Amazon plans to launch a new round of global layoffs in May 2026, with about 14,000 employees expected to be affected. The cuts will span several core business units, including AWS cloud services, retail, and human resources, while some teams in China could face complete shutdowns. The most controversial aspect of the layoffs is that the selection process is reportedly not based on objective criteria such as performance or projects, but instead involves managers making random picks, leaving affected employees with little to no channel for appeal.
This lottery-style approach has caused significant anxiety among staff. The layoffs are said to primarily target white-collar employees and mid-level managers, particularly those at levels L5 to L7, while frontline blue-collar roles in areas such as warehousing and logistics are not currently within the scope of the cuts. [Kuai Technology, in Chinese]
Related
