On February 5, 2026, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon’s cloud computing division, confirmed that layoff notifications to impacted employees in both the United States and Canada had been completed (CRN – AWS Layoffs Hit US And Canada Employees As Amazon Sheds 16,000 Jobs).
These AWS reductions form part of Amazon’s broader corporate restructuring, which involves approximately 16,000 corporate job cuts worldwide (CRN). You can read more about Amazon’s wider layoffs here: Amazon layoffs in Canada.
AWS executives stated the layoffs are part of an organization-wide effort to restructure operations and refocus priorities. AWS also declined to provide details on how many AWS employees were laid off, what roles were affected, or which AWS business segments were impacted (CRN).
For Canadian tech workers affected by these layoffs, it is important to understand your legal rights and carefully review any severance offer before signing.
What AWS Announced
AWS leadership confirmed that the vast majority of impacted employees were notified by January 28, and that notifications to U.S. and Canadian employees have now been completed (CRN).
Public reporting indicates the layoffs heavily affect technical and professional roles across AWS, including engineers, developers, product managers, and other technical positions (CRN).
Who May Be Affected in Canada?
Based on available reporting, AWS layoffs appear concentrated in corporate and technology divisions, with roles affected including software developers, engineers, product and program managers, data professionals, and technical leadership (CRN).
- Software developers and engineers
- Product, program, and project managers
- Data, business intelligence, and quality assurance professionals
- Technical leadership and management roles
- Corporate support roles tied to AWS operations
If you worked at AWS in Canada and were laid off, your entitlements are governed by provincial employment law and common law — not internal company policy.
Your Rights if You’re Laid Off or Terminated
Employers often provide only the minimum termination or severance pay required by provincial employment standards legislation (for example, Ontario’s Employment Standards Act). These statutory minimums are frequently far less than what employees may be entitled to under common-law reasonable notice, which considers:
- Length of service
- Age
- Position held
- Availability of similar employment in your field
Tech professionals — especially those in specialized or senior roles — are often owed significantly more than their initial severance offer.
Wondering what you may be owed? Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate your potential entitlement based on your age, tenure, and role.
Potential Issues With AWS Layoff Notices
- Insufficient notice periods or pay in lieu
- Misclassified “temporary layoffs” where there is no genuine intent to recall
- Incomplete severance packages that omit benefits, bonuses, commissions, equity, or accrued vacation
- Pressure to sign quickly without time to seek legal advice
Common Red Flags in Layoff Packages
- Short sign-by deadlines
- Lump-sum offers without clear severance calculations
- Missing details about benefits continuation or variable compensation
- “Temporary layoff” language with no realistic recall plan
If you see any of these signs, pause before signing anything.
Wrongful Dismissal and AWS Layoffs
In Ontario and across Canada, wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer terminates employment without providing sufficient notice or pay in lieu under common law and provincial legislation.
You may have a claim if there is inadequate severance, misclassification of termination, pressure to sign an unfair release, or discriminatory or retaliatory treatment.
Pursuing a wrongful dismissal claim may help you recover compensation beyond what was initially offered.
How Monkhouse Law Can Help
- Free 30-minute phone consultation to review your severance offer
- Skilled negotiation to help secure fair compensation, including benefits and variable pay
- Representation in wrongful dismissal claims
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you were laid off from AWS in Canada or offered severance, do not sign anything before understanding your rights. Contact Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers for a free 30-minute phone consultation.