Apple Layoffs: Tech Firm Fires Over 600 Employees From Car, Smartwatch Display Teams

Apple Layoffs: The tech giant submitted eight distinct reports to the state in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification program regarding this recent layoff

The iPhone maker Apple, laid off over 600 employees in California. This Apple Layoff will affect people working on its projects related to car and smartwatch displays as the firm moves to conclude these projects, according to filings with the California Employment Development, reported Bloomberg.

The tech giant submitted eight distinct reports to the state in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) program regarding this recent layoff. Under this program, companies are required to file a report with the state agency for each California address with the information regarding the employees impacted by a layoff. Of these reports, at least 87 individuals were employed at an address linked to a confidential Apple facility dedicated to the advancement of next-generation screen technology, while the remainder were situated at sites associated with the car project, according to the report.

Apple initiated the process of winding down both initiatives at the end of February. These initiatives were regarded as significant endeavours aimed at pushing forward the company's technological capabilities or venturing into substantial new domains. The decision to terminate the car project stemmed from uncertainty among executives regarding its trajectory and concerns about its financial implications. Similarly, the shutting down of the display program was attributed to various challenges in engineering, sourcing suppliers, and managing costs, states the report.

According to the reports, 371 employees were released from Apple's primary office dedicated to car-related endeavours in Santa Clara, California, with several more affected at various satellite offices. In certain instances, members of the Apple car team were reassigned to other departments, including those focused on artificial intelligence (AI) or the development of personal robotics.

The recent round of layoffs at Apple follows a prior restructuring in April 2023, during which the company initiated a cost-cutting campaign and reduced a small number of positions within its corporate retail divisions. Subsequently, Apple eliminated roles within its development and preservation teams, responsible for the construction and maintenance of Apple retail outlets and other infrastructure worldwide.

The Tech turmoil continues to haunt people working in the sector. On Wednesday, Amazon Web Services also announced the layoff of hundreds of employees in its sales division.