Apple Delays Return to Office for Employees Until At Least January

Apple has delayed its plan to return employees back to the office until at least January, due to concerns over an increase in COVID-19 cases and the possible emergence of new variants, Bloomberg reports.

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Apple had previously planned to return to in-person work by early September, but the company delayed that timeline until October. Now, due to continued concerns, that timeframe has been further pushed back until at least January.

In a memo sent to staff, obtained by Bloomberg, the company's human resource and retail chief, Deirdre O’Brien, said that Apple is not planning to close its offices or retail stores that are currently open, but is encouraging employees to get vaccinated. Unlike other companies, Apple has yet to enforce a requirement for employees to be vaccinated.

The company told staff it would confirm the re-opening timeline one month before employees are required to return to the office. Apple had previously aimed to require all staff to return to corporate offices by early September before delaying that until October. When employees are required to return, they will be expected to work at the office at least three days a week -- Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays -- with remote work on Wednesday and Friday available.

The memo to staff, sent by human resources and retail head Deirdre O'Brien, added that the company does not currently expect to shutter its offices or retail stores. But she strongly encouraged staff to get vaccinated. The company is yet to require vaccinations or testing, though it is upping its testing program to as many as three at-home coronavirus tests per week. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the memo.

Apple's plans to return to the office have received criticism from Apple employees, who claim that the company is being insensitive to staff members who may prefer working remotely. When employees return, Apple plans to have employees in the office at least three days a week, with the remaining days working remotely.

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Top Rated Comments

Akrapovic Avatar
49 months ago

What about the retail employees? How come they're still obligated to work inside the stores??
Unsure if you're serious or not. It's basic operational requirements. A shop cannot operate without staff. However, office staff can work effectively from home.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ElCidRo Avatar
49 months ago

First, it was September... then October, and now January. Can’t even work 3 days a week inside the office. Pathetic!

It cost Apple $5 billion dollars for Apple to build the (Spaceship) HQ and now it’s just sitting there with no employees working inside the building.

What about the retail employees? How come they're still obligated to work inside the stores??
You do know there is a pandemic raging outside in the real world right?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
49 months ago

You do know there is a pandemic raging outside in the real world right?
People are also refusing to get vaccinated. That alone is not helping this world :(

I have a feeling Apple will end up forcing the employees to get vaccinated to come to work.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
starman111 Avatar
49 months ago

Let’s hear it for the unvaccinated kids trailing a blaze in this brave new world. Pretty odd we expect my 7 yr old to mask it up and tough it out. But not vaccinated corp employees.
Personally, I don't think kids should be toughing it out either. Let's keep schools closed until kids can get vaccinated.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kstotlani Avatar
49 months ago
Good for the employees.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Seanm87 Avatar
49 months ago
Just get vaccinated and get on with it ffs. In the UK we’re at almost 90% vax and everything is back to normal.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)