"Last week, Amazon shared a memo sent to staff as the company implemented mass layoffs. The post detailed the overall reduction in its corporate workforce of 14,000 roles (about 4% of its white-collar workforce). While news of the layoffs attracted media attention, the focus across social media wasn't so much on the contents of the memo as the headline itself: "Staying nimble and continuing to strengthen our organizations.""
"On November 3, Amazon announced a multiyear strategic partnership with OpenAI to the tune of $38 billion. The layoffs are part of a restructuring meant to "reduce bureaucracy" and "remove organizational layers," according to the memo. Amazon is not alone. UPS, Target, Nestlé, and Paramount joined the growing list of companies laying off employees this year. YouTube also quietly introduced voluntary exit packages for employees who are willing to take the first hit, according to an internal memo first reported by Alex Heath's Sources AI newsletter."
"'Corporate buzzword masterclass,' Morning Brew wrote in a now-viral post on X. 'You weren't fired, you were part of our ongoing nimblization initiative,' one X user responded. It's the type of corporate-speak that we've come to expect as companies continue to lay off sizable numbers of employees. 'I thought 'restructuring' was a good one, 'staying nimble' is an even funnier way to say mass layoffs,' another quote tweeted."
Amazon reduced its corporate workforce by 14,000 roles, about 4% of its white-collar employees, as part of a restructuring to reduce bureaucracy and remove organizational layers. The memo's headline, "Staying nimble and continuing to strengthen our organizations," drew more social-media attention than the details and prompted mocking responses. The company also announced a multiyear $38 billion partnership with OpenAI. Other major firms including UPS, Target, Nestlé, Paramount, and YouTube have likewise announced layoffs or voluntary exit packages amid a broader wave of corporate workforce cuts.
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