https://www.chron.com/culture/article/apple-california-texas-austin-18610773.php Chron LogoHearst Newspapers Logo Skip to main content [ ] Newsletters About Us * Contact Chron * Advertise with Us * Careers * Newsletters * Terms of Use * Privacy Notice News * Space * Parks & Wildlife * US News * Houston & Texas News * World News * Transportation * Weather * Politics * Science & Environment * Education Food & Drink * Week& Sports * Texans * Rockets * Astros * High School * Colleges Business * Salute to Nurses * Small Business Mgmt * Top Workplaces * Sponsored Business Shopping Culture * Travel * Music * TV & Film * Arts & Theater * Sponsored Lifestyle * Texas Crafted Gulf Coast Classifieds * Legal Notices * Place Legal Notices * Obituaries * Place an Obituary * Celebration Announcements * Jobs * Cars * Real Estate Chron LogoNewsletters Culture Move to Texas or else: Apple sends some California employees clear message Most of the team working on key Siri operations is based in Apple's Austin campus, but dozens in San Diego are receiving an ultimatum. By Andrea GuzmanJan 16, 2024 Employees working at an Apple campus on January 20, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Employees working at an Apple campus on January 20, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Apple is telling more than 100 employees to trade out California for Silicon Hills. * The tech giant is forcing 121 employees in San Diego, California, to move to Texas or lose their job, Bloomberg News reports. Apple told a team of San Diego employees last week about plans to close an office and relocate the jobs to Austin. The affected employees now have until the end of February to decide whether or not they'll move to Austin. Those who don't relocate will reportedly be terminated on April 26. Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks during an Apple special event on September 12, 2023 in Cupertino, California. Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks during an Apple special event on September 12, 2023 in Cupertino, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images It's a shift from relocation plans that staff was initially told, which was that they'd move to another Apple campus in San Diego. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The affected team is responsible for analyzing questions given to Apple's voice assistant, Siri, and seeing how well it handled a response. The team worked on Siri use in Arabic, English, French, Hebrew, Portuguese and multiple dialects of Spanish. Most of the unit in the U.S., known as the Data Operations Annotations team, is already based in the company's Austin campus, Apple says. But the ultimatum comes as some people have soured on the tech scene in Austin. A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that Austin had a greater rate of mass layoffs in 2023 compared to previous years. The "unusually high levels" of such layoffs can likely be pinned on "high-tech downsizing" after aggressive hiring during the pandemic, the study says. While Apple has mostly avoided layoffs in recent years, the Cupertino, California-based company cut some corporate retail jobs last year and recruiters in 2022. The relocation decision could set Apple up to have dozens more employees leave. Though many Californians have jumped at the chance to move to Texas, most of the affected workers at Apple feel unwilling to relocate to Austin, Bloomberg reports. Those who decide to leave will be given four weeks of severance and an additional week for every year worked. They'll also get six months of health insurance. Meanwhile, employees who move to Austin by the end of June will receive $7,000 stipends for relocating. Advertisement Article continues below this ad More Culture Suspense | Local author tackles book bans, NXIVM-like cults in new book Swag | Houston's thriving J-fashion community celebrates creativity Collab | Houston artists unite to bring paintings to life at Sawyer Yards Dry | The search for secular sobriety in Houston For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. Jan 16, 2024 By Andrea Guzman Andrea Guzman covers Texas Brands at Chron. Her work has appeared in the Texas Observer, Mother Jones, and Fortune. You can reach her on Twitter @dreuhmarie. Most Popular 1. Houston warns residents 'not to drip' faucets in upcoming freeze 2. 10 Texas ranch owners ranked among biggest landowners in U.S. 3. This Texas ranch just sold for the first time in 143 years 4. Wildlife expert debunks 'black panther' sighting in Texas 5. 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Shopping Stream the Super Bowl, more playoff games free with a code Stream the Super Bowl, more playoff games free with a code You can stream Browns vs. Texans for less than $6 You can stream Browns vs. Texans for less than $6 Where to watch the new 'Mean Girls' musical movie Where to watch the new 'Mean Girls' musical movie Costco just replaced its popular churro with this new treat Costco just replaced its popular churro with this new treat Editor's Picks Former Astros manager Dusty Baker returns to Giants in new role Astros Former Astros manager Dusty Baker returns to Giants in new role UK writer stunned by Texas portions, 'phenomenal' Houston food Food UK writer stunned by Texas portions, 'phenomenal' Houston food Galveston greets freeze with usual laid-back attitude Gulf Coast Galveston greets freeze with usual laid-back attitude Stream the Super Bowl, more playoff games free with a code Streaming Stream the Super Bowl, more playoff games free with a code Harris County man dies in tragic fire caused by heating lamp Houston & Texas Harris County man dies in tragic fire caused by heating lamp Galveston sees rare sea smoke as freeze grips Texas Houston & Texas Galveston sees rare sea smoke as freeze grips Texas Texans among biggest betting underdogs in divisional round Texans Texans among biggest betting underdogs in divisional round Houston warns residents 'not to drip' faucets in upcoming freeze Houston & Texas Houston warns residents 'not to drip' faucets in upcoming freeze Return To Top Chron Logo About Our CompanyCareersOur Use of AIEthics Policy Contact Customer ServiceContact Us Services Advertise with UsEmail NewslettersSponsor Content About * Our Company * Careers * Our Use of AI * Ethics Policy Contact * Customer Service * Contact Us Services * Advertise with Us * Email Newsletters * Sponsor Content Hearst Newspapers Logo (c) 2024 Hearst Newspapers, LLCTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeInterest Based AdsYour California Privacy Rights