Covid-19 resurgence delays Apple plan to have staff in office three days a week

Apple delayed a plan to require employees to return to the office three days a week, citing a resurgence in coronavirus cases, marking the latest setback in its efforts to return to normal.

The company informed employees on Tuesday that it is delaying the requirement, which was scheduled to take effect on May 23, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg.

However, the company is still expecting workers to be in the office two days a week. The company said the requirement is being delayed for “the time being”, but did not provide a new date.

Apple was planning to require employees to work from the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning next week ― a policy that faced opposition from some staff members. Employees are going in two days a week as part of a normalisation effort that began in April. For now, that mandate is not changing.

The company also told staff that they must again wear masks in common areas ― at least in its Silicon Valley offices. Separately, retail employees were told on Tuesday that about 100 US outlets will again require mask wearing by staff members as well. Apple had dropped that requirement in March when case numbers eased.

A spokesman for the Cupertino, California-based company declined to comment.

While the delay is related to the recent Covid-19 rebound, some Apple employees complained about the return-to-work plan, saying that it limits productivity.

They said that travel to work time takes away hours that could be put towards their work. Employees also complained that the office return ignored the lack of a vaccine for young children.

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