Apple, in a blow to its efforts to restore operations, has suspended its demand that employees return to the office for at least three days a week this month due to a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
The turnaround was good news for thousands of employees who are resisting the company’s requirement to come to the office three days a week by the end of May. Early this month, the group, which calls itself “Apple Together,” released a letter calling on the executive team to enable a hybrid and flexible work schedule, saying they could collaborate remotely using online tools like Slack and themselves. could save hours of commuting.
One of Apple’s leading artificial intelligence engineers, Ian Goodfellow, resigned early May due to the return policy in the office. Mr Goodfellow did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Apple said in a note to employees on Tuesday that it would begin a pilot program in the coming weeks to bring some employees to the office twice a week. It said anyone on that program who felt “uncomfortable coming to the office” would have the “option to work remotely.”
The company also asked that employees who do come to campus wear masks in common areas and elevators. It said it would continue to monitor Covid cases and provide updates to employees at least two weeks ahead of any future changes to office policies.
The pandemic struck less than a year after Apple celebrated the opening of its new $5 billion headquarters in Cupertino, California, a smashing circular building that resembles a spaceship. It has stood largely unused for the past two years.
