The global tech giant Apple has delayed its date of return to the offices, set for February 1, 2022, indefinitely amid rising Covid-19 cases and uncertainties looming over the Omicron variant of the virus.
Additionally, the company has announced that it will pay each of its employees across all segments, including retail workers, a sum of $1,000 or about Rs 76,000 for purchasing items required while working from home.
Apple has also temporarily shut down three of its stores in the US and Canada after exposures among the stores’ employees.
Apple to Not Start In-Office Services Starting Feb
Apple Inc has initially set February 1, 2022 as the date for opening offices, following a hybrid workplace model, asking employees worldwide to return to offices starting then.
However, amid surging cases of Covid-19 and high transmissibility of the Omicron virus, the tech giant has halted the reopenings of its offices indefinitely. Sources informed that the company’s CEO Time Cook sent an email to all employees, stating that the return-to-work date is “yet to be determined”.
Apple to Pay Employees $1000 for WFH Needs
Besides asking employees to continue working from home for an unknown period, Apple has also announced to pay all of its employees a bonus of USD 1000 to spend on home office equipment.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the $1,000 payout to The Verge, adding that the bonus amount will apply on every company employee, including retail workers.
Apple Shuts 3 Stores After Covid-19 Detection in Staff Members
It has been reported that at least four staff members were infected with Covid-19 at one of its retail stores in Texas, which was then shut temporarily.
According to media reports, the Apple store in Southlake, Texas, was closed following an outbreak of positive Covid cases among staff members.
Besides, Apple has closed for the being, three stores across the US and Canada in Miami, Annapolis and Ottawa, a day after it mandated the policy to wear masks at all times while in the store.
The company added that all the employees at the three stores would be tested before the stores reopen.
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