Andy Jassy

In December 2024, Amazon began winding down DEI programs under an internal memo from VP Candi Castleberry. By February 2025, Amazon removed all references to diversity and inclusion from its annual report and consolidated separate DEI policy sections on its website into a single paragraph, removing mentions of 'transgender.' Jassy characterized the cuts as part of cost-cutting efforts. This reversed years of investment in DEI initiatives including HBCU partnerships and representation targets.

Under Jassy's leadership, Amazon conducted multiple rounds of corporate layoffs totaling over 27,000 employees, including 14,000 in October 2024 and 16,000 in January 2026. Jassy publicly attributed layoffs to culture and bureaucracy reduction, setting a goal to increase the contributor-to-manager ratio by 15%. However, he also stated in June 2024 that AI efficiency gains would cause the corporate workforce to shrink. Employee groups reported the messaging made them feel expendable.

Andy Jassy announced a mandatory 5-day-per-week return-to-office policy for all Amazon corporate employees, effective January 2, 2025. This reversed earlier flexible work commitments. Surveys showed 91% employee dissatisfaction, and 73% considered quitting. Experts noted the mandate may have been intended to reduce headcount through attrition. Jassy claimed the decision was about culture, not cost-cutting.

A National Labor Relations Board judge ruled in May 2024 that Andy Jassy violated federal labor law through public anti-union comments made in 2022. Jassy had stated employees were 'better off not' joining a union, claiming unions make workplaces 'much more bureaucratic' and 'much slower.' The judge found these claims were 'unsupported by objective fact' and could reasonably be interpreted as threats to employees considering unionization.

In June 2023, Senator Bernie Sanders opened a formal Senate investigation into Amazon warehouse conditions, citing injury rates more than double the industry average (6.6 vs 3.2 serious injuries per 100 workers at non-Amazon warehouses). Jassy responded in his shareholder letter by claiming Amazon's safety record was 'misunderstood' and 'about average relative to peers,' despite data showing otherwise. The investigation led to ongoing congressional scrutiny of Amazon's labor practices.