In a significant move within the technology sector, Apple has announced the layoff of over 600 employees across multiple offices in California, marking the company’s first considerable reduction in workforce since the pandemic. This decision, effective from May 27, comes amidst a period of adjustment and cost-cutting efforts observed across the tech industry.
The affected personnel, spanning eight offices in Santa Clara, were notified of their job termination on March 28, under the provisions of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). However, the specific departments or projects impacted by these layoffs remain undisclosed.
Apple’s action is a deviation from its previous stance during the pandemic and the post-pandemic period, where it was among the few tech giants that did not resort to workforce reductions. This was a time characterized by a significant hiring spree across the tech industry, driven by increased digital engagement and expenditure from consumers confined to their homes.
Despite the industry’s substantial growth during this period, there is a noticeable shift towards downsizing as companies strive to streamline operations amidst slowing growth.
This news arrives in the wake of similar announcements from other major players in the technology sector. Amazon has recently declared another round of layoffs within its cloud computing division, AWS. Similarly, notable companies like Electronic Arts, Sony, Cisco Systems, and Snap have also embarked on workforce reduction strategies, indicating a broader trend of recalibration within the tech industry.
Apple, with a workforce of approximately 161,000 full-time employees as per recent filings, joins this list of companies making tough decisions in an effort to align their resources with their current operational goals.
