Amazon reportedly contacted former employees, some laid off, about openings after more than 30,000 job cuts, recruiter emails reviewed by Business Insider show. Amazon says rehiring is longstanding and disputes that the outreach reflects a new AI-specific strategy.
Business Insider reported that recruiters working with an organization led by AWS vice president Swami Sivasubramanian contacted former artificial intelligence and machine-learning employees about potential roles. One email called the effort “Swami’s Boomerang Reengagement Initiative.”
Amazon’s corporate employees have been required to work from the office five days a week since Jan. 2, 2025, after shifting to hybrid work in 2023. Spokesperson Haley Silva said the company’s return-to-office expectations remain unchanged. Visier research found companies eventually rehire about 5.3% of workers they laid off.
