Tim Cook: Mass Layoffs Are a 'Last Resort' for Apple Cook spoke out on the low possibility of job cuts after a strong Q2 2023 earnings report.

By Emily Rella Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images

As layoffs continue to plague major tech companies, one tech giant in particular seems to be narrowly avoiding axing employees, at least according to its CEO.

Apple reported strong Q2 2023 earnings on Thursday, generating $24 billion in net income on $95 billion in total quarterly revenue. Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC the company has no plans for mass layoffs at this point.

Cook explained that layoffs are a "last resort" for the company, but it is looking to cut costs elsewhere.

"Mass layoffs is not something that we're talking about at this moment," Cook told the outlet. "We're continuing to be extremely prudent on hiring. We're continuing to hire, just at a lower clip level than we were before. And we're doing all the right things of challenging the things that we spend, and we're just finding a few more ways to save on it."

Related: Apple Is Reportedly Beginning a Small Round of Layoffs

Apple's latest quarterly report did see overall sales drop, but iPhone sales in particular exceeded expectations, generating roughly $51.33 billion in revenue versus the $48.84 billion that was expected.

"We are determined to do our best work on behalf of our customers and to give them the tools that can enrich lives," Cook said during an earnings call. "So we will manage for the long term, just as we always have, with our eyes to the horizon, with limitless creativity, and with a deep belief that we can achieve anything we put our minds to."

Last month, Insider reported that employees within Apple's corporate retail division were told that they must reapply for their jobs or risk losing them in what management called an "org change," though it was not explicitly described as layoffs.

Apple did not comment on the matter.

As of Friday morning, Apple was up more than 10.3% year over year.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

AI Could Cause 99% of All Workers to Be Unemployed in the Next Five Years, Says Computer Science Professor

Professor Roman Yampolskiy predicted that artificial general intelligence would be developed and used by 2030, leading to mass automation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Buying / Investing in Business

Big Investors Are Betting on This 'Unlisted' Stock

You can join them as an early-stage investor as this company disrupts a $1.3T market.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg 'Insisted' Executives Join Him For a MMA Training Session, According to Meta's Ex-President of Global Affairs

Nick Clegg, Meta's former president of global affairs, says in a new book that he once had to get on the mat with a coworker.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.