Apple does not turn on the mode that makes employees work from the office, Cites Covid-19, no backlash

Apple Inc. delayed a plan to require workers to return to the office three days a week, citing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, marking the latest setback in the company’s efforts to return to normal.

The company notified employees on Tuesday that it was delaying the request, which was slated to go into effect May 23, according to a memo released by Bloomberg. However, the company still expects workers to come to the office two days a week. The company said the request is being delayed for “the present time” and did not provide a new date.

Apple will begin requiring employees to work in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays starting next week – a policy that has caused controversy among some employees. Now, employees are coming to work two days a week as part of a ramp-up effort that began in April. For now, that quest remains unchanged.

The company also tells employees that they must wear masks in common areas — at least in Silicon Valley offices. Separately, retail employees were told Tuesday that about 100 stores in the US will require employees to wear masks again. Apple dropped that requirement in March as cases eased.

A spokesperson for the Cupertino, California-based tech giant declined to comment.

While the delay has been linked to the recent Covid-19 recovery, some Apple employees have complained about the plan to return to work, saying it limits productivity. They were told that hours of lost commute time could be spent on their job. Employees also complained that the back office overlooked a lack of vaccines for young children.