Amazon announced another round of layoffs on October 28, 2026, eliminating approximately 250 positions in its devices and services division. The cuts followed job reductions in Amazon’s retail business earlier in October and the elimination of approximately 16,000 corporate positions worldwide in January.
Amazon has not confirmed how many Canadian employees were affected by the latest cuts.
Lost your job at Amazon? Whether you were part of a company-wide restructuring or terminated individually, your severance package may be worth more than your first offer. Eligible non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and BC can receive up to 24 months’ compensation, depending on their circumstances.
💡 Before You Sign, Always Check First.
Your Amazon severance package may not include everything you’re owed, especially bonuses or stock awards.
Have us review your offer.
Latest Amazon Layoffs In Canada And Worldwide
Amazon has announced several rounds of job cuts across its corporate and technology operations in 2025 and 2026.
- October 28, 2026: Amazon eliminated approximately 250 positions in its devices and services division, primarily affecting software development roles. The company confirmed the cuts to Reuters.
- October 7, 2026: Amazon confirmed further layoffs, primarily in its Stores business, which operates its main online retail platform. Reuters reported that fewer than 1,000 corporate employees were affected, including workers in the United States, United Kingdom and India.
- January 28, 2026: Amazon announced approximately 16,000 corporate job cuts worldwide, following an earlier round of approximately 14,000 cuts in October 2025.
The restructuring has involved several parts of Amazon’s business, including retail, technology, human resources and other corporate functions. Amazon has described the changes as efforts to simplify operations and improve efficiency.
While Canadian employees were referenced in communications surrounding the January layoffs, Amazon has not released a complete Canadian breakdown for its recent restructuring.
For employees in Canada, the important question is what happens when their employment ends—and whether their severance offer reflects their full legal rights.
How Much Severance Does Amazon Pay In Canada?
There is no single severance package that applies to every Amazon employee. The amount you should receive depends on factors including your age, length of service, position, compensation, employment contract and availability of similar work.
Non-unionized Amazon employees in Ontario, Alberta and BC can receive up to 24 months’ compensation cases. That may be substantially more than the minimum required under provincial employment standards legislation.
Your full compensation matters. An Amazon severance package may need to account for:
- Base salary or regular wages during the applicable notice period.
- Bonuses and incentive pay that form part of your compensation.
- Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and other equity compensation, depending on your agreements and legal entitlements.
- Health, dental and other employment benefits during the applicable period.
You can get an initial estimate using our free Severance Pay Calculator.
What Happens To Your Amazon RSUs After A Layoff?
For many Amazon corporate and technology employees, RSUs represent a significant part of their total compensation.
If you’ve been terminated before your stock awards vest, don’t assume you’ve automatically lost their entire value.
Depending on your employment agreement, equity plan and applicable law, you may be entitled to compensation for RSUs that would have vested during your legal notice period.
The wording of your stock agreement matters, and not every unvested award is necessarily recoverable.
Before accepting an Amazon severance offer, have your salary, bonuses and equity compensation reviewed together. Looking only at the cash payment could mean overlooking a substantial part of your package.
What If Amazon Terminates You Outside A Mass Layoff?
You don’t need to be part of a major restructuring to qualify for severance.
If Amazon eliminates your position, terminates your employment individually or makes significant changes to your job, you may still be entitled to compensation.
That includes employees in corporate offices, technology, management, logistics and warehouse operations, although the applicable rights depend on the nature of the employment relationship and governing law.
If you’re placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP), don’t assume that failing to meet its targets means you lose your severance rights. Poor performance doesn’t automatically amount to just cause for dismissal.
Likewise, a substantial pay cut, demotion or major change to your responsibilities may amount to constructive dismissal.
Don’t resign or accept major changes to your employment without getting legal advice first.
What Should You Do Before Signing An Amazon Severance Package?
If you’ve been terminated, take these steps before accepting an offer:
- Get everything in writing. Keep your termination letter, employment agreement, bonus plan, RSU documents and proposed release.
- Review your full compensation. Your entitlement may extend beyond base salary to bonuses, benefits and stock awards.
- Have your package checked. An employment lawyer can explain what you’re owed and whether there’s room to negotiate.
⚠️ A Signing Deadline Doesn’t End Your Rights. Amazon may give you a deadline to accept a severance offer, but that isn’t the same as the legal deadline to pursue compensation. Signing a valid release typically prevents you from seeking more. Get advice before signing.
Having your severance reviewed doesn’t mean taking Amazon to court. We successfully resolve a vast majority of severance disputes through negotiation.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Our employment lawyers review termination packages and help employees pursue the compensation they’re owed.
Before you sign, always check first.
Amazon Layoffs And Severance: Common Questions
Is Amazon Laying Off Employees In Canada?
Amazon has announced several rounds of worldwide job cuts, including new reductions in October 2026. Canadian employees were referenced in communications surrounding earlier layoffs, but the company has not confirmed how many Canadian workers were affected by the latest rounds.
Can Amazon Employees Get 24 Months’ Severance?
Yes. Non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and BC can receive up to 24 months’ compensation. The amount depends on their circumstances and employment agreement.
Does Amazon Have To Pay Severance If My Position Is Eliminated?
Eliminating a position doesn’t remove an employer’s termination obligations. Employees whose jobs end because of restructuring may be entitled to notice, termination pay and additional compensation.
Will I Lose My Amazon RSUs If I’m Laid Off?
Not necessarily. Your rights depend on your equity plan, employment agreement and applicable law. You may be entitled to compensation for stock awards that would have vested during your legal notice period.
Can I Negotiate My Amazon Severance Package?
Yes. Your first offer isn’t necessarily the full amount you’re owed. Have your severance package, bonuses and stock compensation reviewed before signing a release.
Laid Off by Amazon? Get What You’re Owed.
Your first severance offer may not be enough. Tell us what happened, and we’ll help you understand what you’re owed.
Disclaimer: This article provides general employment law information, not legal advice about an individual case. Amazon’s restructuring announcements do not establish that the company has violated any employee’s rights.