Apple is reportedly laying off a small number of people from one of its retail teams, according to reports from Bloomberg And Business Insider. It is currently not clear how many people will be affected, but Bloomberg says the number is “probably very small,” and both outlets say the company is pitching it internally as a way to improve its operations rather than as a cost-cutting measure.
Still, the lack of layoffs so far sets Apple apart from many big tech companies that have announced major cutbacks. Those include:
The layoffs at Apple appear to be on a much smaller scale, but it seems that it can no longer serve as an example of a company that has not resorted to laying off employees.
According to Monday reports, the jobs Apple is cutting are in the division that handles the construction and maintenance of its stores, and affected workers have been told they have until the end of the week to apply for other positions. at the company. Apple is offering up to four months of severance pay for those who can’t stay, Apple said Bloomberg.
While these are the first layoffs of full-time employees at Apple since the major tech cutbacks began, the company has cut costs in other ways, according to CEO Tim Cook. The Wall Street Journal that layoffs were “a last resort”. Last month, Bloomberg reported that it had laid off contractors, left open some newly opened positions, and delayed hiring of some departments, delayed bonuses, slashed travel budgets, postponed projects, and more.