Amazon’s layoff of 660 corporate employees across nine New York City offices sent shockwaves through the city’s tech sector. The move, part of a broader plan to cut 14,000 jobs company-wide, unfolded rapidly.
Amazon’s Drive for Efficiency
The layoffs are rooted in Amazon’s strategy to streamline its workforce by reducing layers of management and encouraging smaller, more agile teams. Company leaders describe this as a necessary step to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economic environment. By flattening its organizational structure, Amazon aims to foster quicker decision-making and greater accountability within teams.
NYC Offices Affected
Amazon’s Manhattan West and New York Tech Hub were among the locations impacted by the layoffs. The company laid off 233 employees at 450 W. 33rd St. (Manhattan West) and 182 employees at 424 Fifth Ave. (Lord & Taylor building), with additional cuts across seven other Manhattan locations. The layoffs took effect November 8, 2025, with affected employees receiving a 90-day notice period.
Context of Global Restructuring
These cuts represent part of Amazon’s larger corporate restructuring announced October 28, 2025. CEO Andy Jassy emphasized the changes were about strengthening culture and agility rather than cost-cutting, despite the company budgeting $1.8 billion in severance costs. Amazon reported strong Q3 2025 results with revenue of $180.2 billion and AWS revenue of $33 billion, up 20% year-over-year.
Workforce Implications
The layoffs have created uncertainty in New York’s tech job market. Amazon continues to employ over 47,000 people across New York State, and the company has been expanding its Manhattan office footprint in 2025, including purchasing 522 Fifth Avenue and leasing significant space at 10 Bryant Park and 5 Manhattan West.
Looking Forward
As remote work patterns continue to evolve across the tech industry, companies are reassessing their operational structures. For affected employees, the 90-day notice period provides time to explore new opportunities in a competitive job market. The tech sector continues to experience shifts as companies balance growth ambitions with operational efficiency.