Work From Home Ends For 38,000 Apple Employees From This Date; Only 30 Days WFH Allowed In A Year!

The tiny but mighty novel coronavirus has brought the world to a standstill. All the plans we had in March 2020 have been washed away by the pandemic. Even after almost 2 years since its first appearance in Dec. 2019, the virus is still ruining plans all over the world. This time it has even brought the largest company in the world, Apple, on its knees and forced it to change its plans.

Apple postpones reopening of offices by a month

According to a recent email by the CEO of Apple Inc. to its employees, the company has chosen Feb. 1 as the deadline for corporate employees to start their return to offices. This is a slight delay from its previous goal of reopening in January.

From February, the company will adopt a phased return. For the first month, some teams will be required to come into the office one or two days a week. After that “transitional period,” staff will be required to come in at least three days per week, including Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Apple’s plan seems to be more aggressive than its peers. Many of its peers and competitors are offering more flexible arrangements or letting employees work from home indefinitely. But Apple gives more importance to in-person work. Apple will allow some teams to work remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays. It should be noted that working remotely those two days would only apply to “eligible teams.” Teams that have a greater need to work in person will be required to work from the office four or five days a week.

Some Apple teams will get one month of remote work each year

The Apple CEO noted that many international sites have already returned to the office and that half of Silicon Valley employees have begun coming in at some point during the week. Apple has also decided to offer some teams up to one month each year of remote work. This is in addition to the two days per week. It is an increase from a previously promised two weeks.

The company strongly encourages employees to get vaccinated but has not imposed a mandate. The unvaccinated employees in offices will need to test for Covid-19 as often as every day.