Date: March 28, 2024
Apple has reportedly started laying off a small number of people from one of its retail teams.
Although it is currently unclear how many employees will be affected, Apple is pitching it to improve its operations rather than as a cost-cutting measure. Until now, Apple's lack of layoffs has set it apart from many big tech companies that have announced major cuts.
However, it appears that Apple can no longer act as an example of a company that hasn't resorted to laying off employees. The jobs being cut are in the division that handles building and upkeep for Apple's retail stores, and affected employees have been told that 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 that aren't able to stay.
It is worth noting that these are the first reported layoffs of full-time employees at Apple since the big tech cuts began. The company has been paring down costs in other ways, with CEO Tim Cook telling The Wall Street Journal that layoffs were "a last resort."
Last month, Bloomberg reported that Apple had been laying off contractors, leaving some newly-opened positions unfilled, slowing down hiring for some departments, delaying bonuses, reducing travel budgets, pushing back projects, and more. It remains to be seen how these layoffs will affect Apple's operations and reputation as a company that values its employees.
However, it is clear that even a company as successful as Apple is not immune to the economic pressures that have forced other big tech companies to make major cuts
Snap Introduces Watermarks To Highlight AI-Generated Images
To enhance user experience and safety, Snapchat has introduced an automated watermark that distinguishes AI-generated images from others.
WhatsApp Chat Filters Launched For Improved Management
Meta has introduced chat filters on WhatsApp, redefining the home interface to be more organized and accessible.
Meta’s Oversight Board Actively Reviewing AI-Nudity Reports
Meta’s oversight board has been actively investigating the actions taken on user-raised flags and reports against AI-generated nudity.
GTA Maker Lays Off 5% Staff, Scraps Multiple Projects.
The company that created the world-famous Grand Theft Auto series is scrapping some projects and laying off 5% of its team to restructure business costs.