Apple employees are no longer going to be returning to corporate offices in February as planned due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and the newly emerging omicron variant, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a memo sent out today.
Back in November, Apple sent out a letter telling employees that Apple would expect them to start returning to the office on February 1, but that return date has now been pushed back indefinitely.
BREAKING: Tim Cook just sent out an email delaying Apple’s return to work to a date “yet to be determined.” He also said the company is giving every corporate employee $1,000 to spend on home office equipment. — Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) December 15, 2021
There is no word on when employees will be expected to go back to work, and for now, those who are able to do so will continue to work from home.
The delay will be welcome news to Apple employees who have been dreading the return to corporate offices, but Apple does plan to have employees come back at some point. Cook said that the return date is "yet to be determined" at this time.
Apple executives have made it clear since the beginning of the pandemic that employees will eventually need to return work. "Video conference calling has narrowed the distance between us, to be sure, but there are things it simply cannot replicate," Cook said back in June.
When it is safe for employees to return to the office, Apple is planning for a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in the office three days a week, but will have the option of working from home for two days a week. Apple also plans to allow employees to work remotely for up to one month per year, giving them more time to travel and be closer to loved ones.
Because employees will need to continue to work from home, Cook said that Apple is giving every corporate employee $1,000 to spend on home office equipment.
