Apple has laid off around 100 of its contract-based recruiters in the past week, a sure sign it is slowing down hiring across the entire company.

Workers were told the cuts were “due to changes in Apple’s current business needs”, according to sources quoted by Bloomberg. Staff were fired in numerous Apple offices, including in Texas and Singapore. Terminated contractors were told they would receive pay and medical benefits for two weeks.

CEO Tim Cook noted during Apple’s recent earnings call that the company would be more “deliberate” in how it hires staff.

“We believe in investing through the downturn,” Cook said.

“And so we’ll continue to hire people and invest in areas, but we are being more deliberate in doing so in recognition of the realities of the environment.”

Apple employs over 150,000 staffers, and doesn’t often implement large cuts.