“This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company long term,” Jassy shared in his note. "(We want to be) leaner while doing so in a way that enables us to still invest robustly in the key long-term customer experiences."
(CEO on layoffs - the best solution long term :
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/03/20/amazon-layoffs-2023-pxt-aws-twitch-advertising/11508561002/ )
After the Nov/Dec layoffs (first wave), several of the key managers in my AMZL facility bailed without notice; could have been fed up due to Peak, or cashing out their final RSU vests, but probably just saw the writing on the wall. I've been through this before and the companies that do these layoffs end up with a workforce that is always looking over its shoulder. Have fun motivating that crew, Andy.
"(We want to be) leaner" - this is code for: we don't know how to forecast accurately, because the LT is incompetent; hence the massive layoffs.
"still invest robustly" - code for: with the money we save from the layoffs and from replacing the later in career workers with the junior ones hired during the pandemic, we are going to pump it into AI and AWS so we can try and keep up with the other guys, and not relegate ourselves to being just the online retailer for stuff.
Less long-term employees for sure. High attrition. Perfect storm.
It's not just layoffs - it's also return to office that they're enforcing. Starts as 3 days/week then gradually 5 days/week. Less long-term term as they will absorb better options. It's just reacting to the s****y markets after poor planning. That's all.
Yes, long term people will think twice before building a large empire below them just to rise in management levels.