Job Cuts

739 Jobs at Risk: What Is Happening?

South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics has begun a major reorganization of its U.S. operations, affecting hundreds of employees. The company is cutting staff across its display, mobile phone, and consumer electronics divisions while relocating its headquarters to Texas. A total of 739 positions in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, are at risk. Until recently, the site served as the North American headquarters of Samsung Electronics America.

For many employees, the news came as a shock—not only because people are losing their jobs, but also because Samsung is relocating to Texas rather than simply closing the office. The company says that most affected employees were offered the opportunity to relocate. Those who were unwilling or unable to move were dismissed. Samsung has not disclosed the official number of layoffs, but sources say that hundreds of employees may be affected.

The timing of the move is particularly noteworthy because Samsung opened new offices in New Jersey only a few months earlier. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer even attended the opening ceremony in September last year. At the time, the division employed approximately 1,200 people. Now, a significant share of them will either relocate to Texas or search for new jobs.

Documents and Notifications: The Legal Side of the Issue

According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the division notified some employees on June 30 about a “company-wide workforce reduction” that would result in a “significant number of changes.” This is a standard procedure for large corporations, but for Samsung employees in New Jersey, it marked the beginning of a troubling period of uncertainty.

LinkedIn posts show that more than 30 employees, including senior sales and marketing managers in Texas and New Jersey, have reported being laid off or leaving the company in recent weeks. These are not...