In a move that caught many off guard, Amazon employees woke up to text messages informing them that their roles had been eliminated. The notifications, sent before dawn, marked yet another wave of layoffs at one of the world’s largest employers. This time affecting around 14,000 people across multiple teams.

According to screenshots reviewed by Business Insider, Amazon sent two text messages to affected employees within minutes of each other. The first asked them to check their personal or work email before heading to the office, while the second provided a help desk number in case they hadn’t received “an email message about your role.” These messages were reportedly sent right after email notifications, a measure meant to ensure employees don’t show up at work because their badges were deactivated.

This new way of communicating layoffs via text has sparked conversations inside and outside the company about the impersonal nature of corporate restructuring. It also shows a growing pattern seen across major tech firms like Google and Tesla, where employees have found themselves locked out of systems overnight with little to no warning. People familiar with the matter told Business Insider that the messages were designed to prevent confusion and avoid potentially awkward scenes at offices across the United States.

The latest job cuts primarily target Amazon’s retail management teams, continuing a trend of workforce reductions that began last year. The company said the move is part of an ongoing effort to “streamline operations” and allow the business to “innovate much faster.”

In a message shared internally, Amazon’s HR head, Beth Galetti, told affected employees that they would continue to receive full pay and benefits for 90 days, along with a severance package and access to job placement assistance. “We didn’t make these decisions lightly,” Galetti said in her note. “We’re committed to supporting you throughout this transition.”

Galetti also posted a blog on Tuesday, acknowledging that advances in artificial intelligence are changing how Amazon operates. She wrote, “What we need to remember is that the world is changing quickly. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.”

The internal email sent to employees, later accessed by Business Insider, detailed the process of the layoff and offered step-by-step instructions on what to do next. It informed workers that their badge access had been restricted and that a non-working period would begin immediately, during which they would continue receiving full pay and benefits. The email also directed them to use Amazon’s internal tools like the A to Z app and MyHR to access support, retrieve belongings, or return company equipment.

The tone of the message attempted to soften the blow, with Galetti personally assuring employees that Amazon’s HR team was available to help around the clock. “If you run into any trouble at all getting what you need—whether that’s connectivity issues, questions about next steps, or any other concerns—please just reply to this email. I’m personally committed to making sure you get the help you need as you navigate this change,” she wrote.

The layoffs come as Amazon prepares for what analysts expect to be a record-breaking holiday quarter, potentially crossing $140 billion in sales. Yet the company is also under pressure to remain agile and cost-efficient amid the rapid growth of AI-powered automation.

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