AMAZON is cutting more than 18,000 jobs worldwide as part of plans to slash costs.
It is understood the losses will include the UK and Europe, but the retail giant has not given details on how each country will be affected.
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The group, which employs around 1.5 million people globally, warned in November that its workers could be laid off.
Following a review of its business, it said it had found roles that needed to be axed.
Today, it announced its biggest ever layoff programme, with “just over 18,000” to be eliminated.
Amazon said those across its stores, such as Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, would be the most impacted.
Its human resources division, PXT solutions team and devices and books businesses will also face cuts.
Chief executive Andy Jassy said in a note to employees, which was made public: “These changes will help us pursue our long-term opportunities with a stronger cost structure.”
He blamed the move on an “uncertain economy”, adding “we’ve hired rapidly over the last several years”.
Mr Jassy also said the announcement had been brought forward after one of its employees leaked the details.
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“We decided it was better to share this news earlier so you can hear the details directly from me,” Mr Jassy said.
The group expects to tell staff directly impacted by the cuts from January 18 and said it is offering a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and job placement support.
He added: “Companies that last a long time go through different phases.
“They’re not in heavy people expansion mode every year.”
Another US tech company also announced a round of major job cuts on Thursday.
Salesforce is axing around 8,000 workers worldwide, or 10 per cent of its workforce.
What are my redundancy rights?
BEFORE making you unemployed, your employer should still carry out a fair redundancy process.
You are entitled to be consulted on the redundancy lay-off first and to receive a statutory redundancy payment, as long as you’ve been working somewhere for at least two years.
How much you’re entitled to depends on your age and length of service, although this is capped at 20 years. You’ll get:
- Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22,
- One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41,
- One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older.
Sadly, you won’t be entitled to a payout if you’ve been working for your employer for fewer than two years.
There should be a period of collective consultation as well as time for individual ones if your employer wants to make 20 or more employees redundant within 90 days or each other.
You are also entitled to appeal the decision by claiming unfair dismissal within three months of being let go.
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