Apple Implements Rare Layoffs, Cutting Dozens of Positions

CUPERTINO, Nov 25 — Apple is cutting dozens of sales roles and restructuring its business units serving enterprises, schools and government agencies — a rare move for a company long known for avoiding layoffs, according to foreign media reports.

Sources said the cuts affect several teams within Apple’s sales organisation, with some divisions hit particularly hard. Impacted employees include account managers handling major corporate, education and government clients, as well as staff who operate Apple’s briefing centers.

An Apple spokesperson said the company will continue hiring and that affected employees may apply for new roles. “We are making adjustments to our sales organization to reach more customers, and this impacts a small number of positions,” the spokesperson said.

Some affected employees believe the restructuring aims to shift more sales responsibilities to third-party resellers, helping Apple reduce internal operational costs.

The job cuts stand out because Apple is currently experiencing its fastest revenue growth in years. The company is expected to generate nearly US$140 billion (RM578.3 billion) in sales in the December quarter — a record-breaking figure.

Sales team streamlined

Internally, Apple describes the move as an effort to streamline its sales force and eliminate overlapping functions. The cuts include roles within the government sales team that works with agencies such as the US Department of Defense and the Department of Justice.

These teams have already been operating in challenging conditions, especially after a 43-day partial US government shutdown and increased cost-cutting measures among federal agencies.

Affected staff have a limited period to seek other roles within Apple; those who are unable to find new positions will receive severance packages. Apple has posted sales-related roles on its career site and has advised displaced employees to apply.

Beyond the US, similar restructuring has taken place globally. Several weeks ago, Apple reduced about 20 sales positions in Australia and New Zealand.

Layoffs seen as “last resort”

Apple historically relies less on layoffs than many tech peers. CEO Tim Cook has previously said layoffs are a “last resort.”

Nonetheless, the company has carried out several unusual rounds of job cuts in 2024 due to cancelled projects and shifting economic conditions — including the shutdown of its long-running autonomous car project and cuts within an internal display development initiative. Portions of its AI teams and services division have also been affected.

Across the broader tech industry, layoffs remain widespread. Earlier this month, Amazon announced plans to cut more than 14,000 jobs, while Meta recently eliminated hundreds of roles within its AI division.