NEW DELHI: Apple has confirmed the layoff of 614 employees in California, marking the first major job cut at Apple's since the onset of the pandemic. According to a notice posted by the state of California, the affected employees were based across eight different facilities in Santa Clara, CNBC reported.

They were formally notified about the job cuts on March 28, with the changes set to take effect on May 27. 

Notably, none of the impacted locations are at Apple's main Cupertino headquarters. 
Instead, they are at smaller, satellite offices that are more likely to be associated with secretive projects.

The reduction in workforce comes after Apple decided to terminate a long-standing project focused on the development of an electric, self-driving car. 
This project was being managed by a team known as the Special Projects Group. 

Although the official notice did not specify which projects the job cuts are related to, sources indicate that positions like machine shop managers, hardware engineers, and product design engineers have been affected.
Despite the job cuts, Apple has managed to avoid extensive downsizing compared to some of its tech counterparts. 

The company's slower growth during the pandemic has been attributed as a factor that spared it from more severe job cuts.
Apple representatives are yet to provide a statement on the matter.