Amazon 'accidentally' announces layoffs in internal memo

The tech industry has been hit hard by layoffs in the past few years due to a number of factors, such as overhiring during the COVID-19 era, sustaining near-impossible profit targets, and strategic shifts due to the emergence of AI technologies. In recent months, numerous firms such as Ubisoft, Tailwind, and Microsoft have let go of thousands of employees. Now, it seems like Amazon has "accidentally" confirmed an upcoming round of layoffs.

In an internal memo seen by the BBC, Amazon inadvertently sent numerous employees and an online invite with the title "Send project Dawn email". For those unaware, this moniker is reportedly Amazon's internal code-name for layoffs. In it was also a draft email from AWS Senior Vice President Colleen Aubrey, which noted that:

This is a continuation of the work we've been doing for more than a year to strengthen the company by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy, so that we can move faster for customers. Changes like this are hard on everyone. These decisions are difficult and made thoughtfully as we position our organization and AWS for future success.

The email indicated that layoffs would be impacting those in the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica.

However, this email was quickly withdrawn since it was clearly an early draft that was sent in error. Employees have not been officially informed of a layoff, but it is expected soon.

Back in October 2025, Amazon laid off over 14,000 workers, and at that time, it was reported that the company may be letting go of 30,000 employees in total, which would mean that the upcoming round of layoffs will be similarly significant. It is also important to note that Amazon has been emphasizing cost reduction and increased productivity for the past few months; it is one of the few major tech companies that mandates working from the office five days a week. Although the aforementioned draft email was sent by accident, it's clear that layoffs are happening within the next few days as the firm tightens its chokehold on workplace productivity and costs.