Overview
Apple recently confirmed the layoff of 614 employees in California, marking the first major job cut at Apple since the onset of the pandemic. The affected employees were based across eight different facilities in Santa Clara, according to a notice posted by the state of California.
Details of the Layoff
The impacted employees were formally notified about the job cuts on March 28, with the changes scheduled to take effect on May 27. Notably, the affected locations are smaller, satellite offices in Santa Clara, and not at Apple’s main Cupertino headquarters. These offices are often associated with secretive projects.
Reason for Layoff
The reduction in workforce follows Apple’s decision to terminate a long-standing project focused on the development of an electric, self-driving car. This project was managed by a team known as the Special Projects Group. While the official notice did not specify the exact projects related to the job cuts, sources suggest that positions like machine shop managers, hardware engineers, and product design engineers have been impacted.
Impact Compared to Industry
Despite the job cuts, Apple has not downsized as extensively as some of its tech counterparts. The company’s slower growth during the pandemic is seen as a factor that helped it avoid more severe job cuts.
Conclusion
Apple representatives have not yet issued a statement regarding the layoffs, leaving room for speculation on the future direction of the company’s projects and workforce.
