Amazon CEO says layoffs will extend into next year
New York (AP): The mass layoffs that began in Amazon's corporate ranks this week will extend into next year, CEO Andy Jassy said on Thursday.
In a note sent to employees, Jassy said the company told workers in its devices and books divisions about layoffs on Wednesday. He said it also offered some other employees a voluntary buyout offer.
"I have been in this role now for about a year and a half, and without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have made during that time (and, we have had to make some very tough calls over the past couple of years, particularly during the heart of the pandemic)," Jassy wrote in the memo.
Seattle-based Amazon, which has been cutting costs in various areas of its business in the past few months, is undergoing an annual review process to figure out where it can save more money. Jassy said this year's review is "more difficult" due to the economic landscape and the company's rapid hiring in the last several years.
Other tech companies -- many of which had gone on hiring binges in the past few years -- have also been trimming their workforce amid concerns about an economic slowdown. Among others, Facebook parent Meta said last week it would lay off 11,000 people, about 13 per cent of its workforce. And Elon Musk, the new Twitter CEO, has slashed the company's workforce in half this month.
On Tuesday, Amazon notified authorities in California that it would lay off about 260 corporate workers at various facilities in the state. The company has not publicly disclosed how many employees it laid off this week across its entire corporate workforce, though some based in Seattle said they have also been let go.
Jassy said the company has not concluded how many other jobs will be impacted. He noted there will be reductions in certain divisions as the company goes through the annual review process, which will continue into next year. As they weigh job cuts, he said leaders at the company will prioritise what matters most to customers and the long-term health of the company.
Amazon is offering severance packages for employees who leave the company. But -- unlike Meta, for example -- it has not publicly provided details of the package.
The company employs more than 1.5 million (15 lakh) workers globally, primarily made up of hourly workers.
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Fresh kidnapping case registered against H D Revanna and Prajwal: Police
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Former Karnataka minister H D Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna face fresh troubles as a case has been lodged based on a youth's complaint alleging that his mother was abducted after a video of her being allegedly tied and raped by Prajwal emerged.
The case was registered on Thursday night, police here said.
Revanna, who is a JD(S) MLA from Holenarasipura constituency in Hassan district, is the son of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and elder brother of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Prajwal, the sitting JD(S) MP from Hassan, is facing allegations of sexually abusing women. The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case after scores of explicit video clips allegedly involving the 33-year-old MP started making the rounds in recent days.
He was the NDA candidate from the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency where polling was held on April 26. JD(S) joined the NDA in September last year.
A case of molestation was already registered against the father-son duo at Holenarasipura police station. According to the state Home Minister G Parameshwara, one more complaint was registered on Wednesday night.
However, in this latest case lodged on Thursday night, the 20-year-old complainant from Krishnaraja Nagar town in Mysuru district said his mother was kidnapped by Revanna.
He said six years ago his mother worked at Revanna’s residence in Holenarasipura. Three years ago, she quit the job and returned to her hometown.
About five days ago, Revanna’s confidant Sathish Babanna came to his house and said police may come to them for an inquiry and they should not reveal anything.
“On April 29 at about 9 pm, Sathish Babanna came to our house and said if your mother is caught then you will be in trouble and you may all go to jail. Revanna has asked me to take you. He then took her on a motorcycle,” the complainant said.
He said he has no clue where his mother has been taken away. However, on May 1, he said he received a call from his friends who told him that a video has surfaced showing his mother was tied with a rope and Prajwal allegedly raped her.
The complainant said there is threat to his mother’s life and sought police help to find out where his mother was.
The K R Nagar police under Mysuru Rural sub-division registered a case against H D Revanna and Sathish Babanna of kidnapping, wrongful confinement and connivance.
In response to the case and allegations, Revanna on Wednesday had said: “I have the strength to face these conspiracies. I will face it (investigation). There is no need to bother. I did not do anything wrong. I am prepared for any investigation and will fight it in a legal manner.”
