Apple Delays Return-to-Office Date Again

Apple has once again postponed its return-to-office date to February 1 from its original goal of January. 

At the beginning of February, CEO Tim Cook said that employees will come back into the office in phases. 

For the first month, teams will be required to be in the office one to two days a week. Afterwards, staff will be required to be in the office at least three days each week, specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. 

“A number of teams have a greater need to work in person,” said Cook in reference to workers that will be required to work in the office four or five days each week.  

Cook added that eligible teams will be able to work remotely on Wednesday and Fridays. Apple will also allow some teams the ability to work remotely up to one month each year in addition to these days.   

In addition to these work arrangements, Cook said that the company is being flexible in its health-related policies, stating that it may delay its return to the office again or implement mask wearing and physical distancing requirements.  

However, there is currently no vaccine mandate for employees, but unvaccinated workers will be subject to routine testing when coming into the office.   

This strategy is less flexible than other technology companies, many of whom are adopting full flexibility or remote work arrangements indefinitely.