As Amazon gears up for another significant round of corporate layoffs, employees were left anxious and confused on January 27 after receiving a cryptic calendar invitation titled 'Send Project Dawn email.' This unexpected invite, linked to an internal initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency, quickly spread across the company, raising alarms about impending job cuts.
Mysterious Calendar Invite Creates Panic
The invitation was sent by an assistant on behalf of Colleen Aubrey, senior vice president of AWS solutions, as reported by Business Insider. Scheduled for 5 a.m. Pacific Time on January 28, the event was abruptly canceled, but not before it had already ignited widespread speculation and concern among Amazon's workforce. The email subject line 'Project Dawn' was described as part of Amazon's ongoing efforts to streamline operations, though its accidental distribution left many questioning their job security.
Internal Communication Fuels Uncertainty
In Aubrey's note, it was stated that this initiative is a continuation of work spanning more than a year to strengthen the company by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy to move faster for customers. The message also indicated that notifications to impacted employees in the US, Canada, and Costa Rica had been completed, suggesting that layoffs were already in motion. This detail only added to the growing unease within the organization.
Slack Channels Overflow with Confusion
The misfired email invite rapidly circulated through internal Slack channels, which include over 36,000 Amazon employees. Staff members debated whether the message was intended for Aubrey's entire organization or only those directly affected by the cuts. One employee poignantly asked, "Am I impacted or sent by mistake to all?" while another remarked, "Well, if you needed solid proof that tomorrow is legit, the Project Dawn email is it." Some speculated that recipients of the invite might be safe from layoffs, but overall, uncertainty remained high, clouding the workplace atmosphere.
Amazon's Major Layoff Plans Unveiled
Recent reports indicate that Amazon is preparing for another substantial round of layoffs. According to Reuters, the company plans to eliminate approximately 14,000 corporate positions in the coming weeks. This would mark Amazon's second-largest layoff since October 2025, bringing the total planned job cuts to around 30,000 roles—the most significant reduction in the company's three-decade history.
The e-commerce giant initially cut about 14,000 white-collar jobs in October, and the upcoming round is expected to mirror that scale. Employees across various divisions are likely to be affected, including those in Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and the human resources division, internally known as People Experience and Technology (PXT). Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed these details, highlighting the broad impact of the restructuring efforts.
Broader Implications for the Workforce
This series of layoffs reflects Amazon's aggressive strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs amid evolving market conditions. The 'Project Dawn' incident underscores the human element of such corporate decisions, as employees grapple with uncertainty and the potential loss of livelihoods. As the company moves forward with its plans, the focus remains on how these changes will shape Amazon's future and the well-being of its global workforce.
