The global technology industry is witnessing another round of workforce reductions, with more than 5,000 jobs reportedly affected during October as major companies, including Amazon, Netflix, eBay and HubSpot, restructure their operations. The latest developments highlight the pressure on technology businesses to simplify organisational structures, control costs and redirect resources towards strategic growth areas.
The job cuts have affected companies operating in e-commerce, streaming, customer relationship management and other technology segments. While some firms have cited organisational restructuring and changing business priorities, others are adjusting their workforce after periods of rapid expansion or as competition intensifies.
The developments also underline the changing employment environment in the technology sector, where companies are reviewing staffing requirements even as they continue investing in artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and new products.
Amazon cuts jobs across business units
Amazon announced a fresh round of job reductions in October, affecting fewer than 1,000 white-collar employees globally. The cuts primarily concern its Stores division, which oversees the company’s main e-commerce operations.
Employees in the United States, India and the United Kingdom are among those affected. However, Amazon has not disclosed the number of employees impacted in India. Reports have identified customer service, selling partner services and marketplace support among the areas affected.
The company said it had adjusted parts of its Stores business because the new organisational structure would better support its priorities. It also stated that it was committed to supporting employees whose positions had been eliminated.
The October reductions form part of a wider restructuring exercise at Amazon. The company announced plans to eliminate approximately 14,000 corporate roles in October 2025 and another 16,000 positions in January 2026. These earlier rounds were associated with efforts to reduce organisational layers, simplify decision-making and redirect resources towards key business areas.
Amazon’s workforce changes have also drawn attention because of its growing investment in AI. However, the company has not said that AI alone is responsible for the latest October job cuts.
Netflix reduces workforce by around 1,000
Netflix announced plans to reduce approximately 1,000 jobs, equivalent to around 6% of its global workforce. The move represents its largest round of job cuts since 2022.
The reductions are expected to affect employees across product, technology, legal and human resources teams. The decision was communicated to staff by co-chief executive officers Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.
In their communication, the executives said the company needed to be disciplined in allocating its people and resources. They also maintained that Netflix’s business remained strong and that it was on track to meet its full-year financial forecast.
The workforce reduction comes amid growing competition for viewers. Streaming platforms are facing pressure from traditional entertainment companies as well as digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, which offer large volumes of free, user-generated content.
Netflix has been exploring additional sources of revenue beyond subscriptions, including advertising, live programming and gaming. The company had approximately 16,000 employees at the end of 2025
eBay announces another round of job cuts
E-commerce company eBay is reducing its workforce by approximately 1,000 employees, or around 9% of its staff. The October announcement marks its second major round of job reductions in 2026.
Chief Executive Officer Jamie Iannone reportedly informed employees that the company intended to simplify operations and shift resources towards its fastest-growing business areas.
The company has not publicly disclosed the specific teams, roles or locations that will be affected. Employees whose positions are impacted are expected to receive individual communication.
The latest decision follows an earlier reduction in February, when eBay cut approximately 800 jobs, representing around 6% of its workforce at the time.
The company has also been pursuing opportunities in specialised e-commerce segments, including authenticated luxury products, collectibles and refurbished goods. Its acquisition of fashion resale platform Depop is part of its effort to expand its reach among younger shoppers.
The latest restructuring reflects eBay’s stated intention to focus investment on areas it considers important for future growth.
HubSpot cuts around 660 positions
Customer relationship management and marketing software company HubSpot announced plans on October 6 to reduce approximately 7% of its workforce, affecting around 660 employees.
The company is reorganising its operations around what it describes as AI-driven customer outcomes. The restructuring is intended to align teams and responsibilities with its evolving business strategy.
Chief Executive Officer Yamini Rangan told employees that the decision was not driven by AI-related efficiencies. Instead, she pointed to the need to align the organisation with the company’s strategy and future operating model.
The announcement is significant because HubSpot operates in a market where businesses are increasingly adopting AI-powered tools for sales, marketing and customer support. The company has been adjusting its products and business approach as customer expectations and competition change.
Its explanation also illustrates why it is important not to attribute every technology-sector layoff directly to automation. Companies may introduce AI-focused products while citing organisational design, strategic priorities or other business considerations as the reasons for workforce reductions.
Why technology companies are restructuring
The October announcements point to several overlapping factors behind workforce reductions across the technology industry.
Organisational simplification: Companies are reviewing management structures, reducing layers and consolidating responsibilities to make decision-making faster.
Changing business priorities: Firms are shifting investment towards business segments they expect to generate growth, while reducing spending in areas receiving less strategic attention.
Competition and growth pressures: Streaming, e-commerce and software companies face changing consumer behaviour and competition from established rivals as well as newer digital platforms.
AI and automation: Investment in artificial intelligence is changing how technology companies develop products and organise work. However, the reasons given by individual companies differ, and AI should not automatically be treated as the sole cause of every layoff.
Post-pandemic workforce adjustments: Some businesses expanded their employee numbers rapidly during the pandemic as demand for online services increased. Companies are continuing to reassess those staffing levels as market conditions evolve.
Job security remains a concern for technology workers
The latest reductions add to a year of workforce restructuring across the global technology sector. Large companies are balancing investment in new technologies with pressure to maintain operating efficiency and financial discipline.
For employees, the developments highlight the importance of keeping professional skills current, particularly in areas such as AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analysis and product development. However, the impact of automation and restructuring is likely to differ across companies, job functions and locations.
The October layoffs at Amazon, Netflix, eBay and HubSpot show that workforce reductions are not limited to companies facing immediate financial distress. Businesses may also cut positions while investing in new products, expanding selected operations or changing their organisational models.
As technology companies continue to reshape their businesses, the balance between investment, productivity and employment is likely to remain an important issue for the global workforce.