Amazon trimming dozens of communications, sustainability jobs

What’s going on at Amazon?

Amazon is reportedly slashing dozens of jobs in its communications and sustainability departments.

“As we examined our current org design…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,” Drew Herdener, who oversees public relations and corporate responsibility for the e-commerce giant, said in a memo to staff viewed by CNBC.

“To address this and do the right thing for the business, we’re eliminating a small number of roles in communications and sustainability. This is a difficult decision to make and one that my leadership team and I do not take lightly.”

The announcement comes after Amazon kicked off 2025 by requiring employees to work from their respective offices five days a week.

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Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if Canadian members of Amazon’s communications and sustainability departments are affected.

According to LinkedIn, the company employs more than 15,700 people in the country.

Next steps for Amazon employees

If you’re fired or let go at Amazon, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada’s tech industry are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

New year, more job cuts

Amazon isn’t the only major employer scaling back their staffing levels to start 2025.

Big names, including Starbucks, VF Corp, BP, Microsoft, Meta, Hudson’s Bay and Wayfair, have also pulled out the axe.

SEE ALSO
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?
• Pocket Employment Lawyer: Real-time insights on your rights

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’re fired or let go at Amazon for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.