Apple has indefinitely delayed the date which corporate employees will have to return to the office, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and NBC News’ Zoe Schiffer. CEO Tim Cook sent an email to staff on Wednesday saying the return-to-work date is “yet to be determined.”
He also announced that Apple would be giving all employees $1,000 that can be used for “work-from-home needs,” according to Gurman. Apple spokesperson Nick Leahy confirmed the $1,000 bonus and says it will apply to every employee, including retail workers.,
Rising COVID-19 cases and Apple
The delay comes as COVID-19 cases have risen and the omicron variant begins to spread. Previously scheduled workers had been set to return to offices on February 1st in a hybrid work pilot announced internally in November. That itself had been delayed; the company has changed its plans several times.
Apple closed three retail stores this week in response to growing COVID-19 infections. On Tuesday, it started requiring customers to wear masks while inside its stores.
