[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Apple, which had slowed down the pace of office returns due to strong employee opposition and the COVID-19 situation, has decided to increase the number of days employees come to the office from two days a week to three days starting next month on the 5th.
According to Bloomberg and other sources on the 15th (local time), Apple notified employees that they must come to the office three times a week: every Tuesday and Thursday, plus a specific day decided by each team. This modifies Apple's original plan of mandatory attendance on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and will be applied at the headquarters in Santa Clara starting next month on the 5th. For other regions, the decision will depend on the COVID-19 situation.
Apple announced in June last year that it would adopt a hybrid work model requiring employees to come to the office three times a week, and has been gradually promoting office returns from full remote work since early this year. However, when signs of a COVID-19 resurgence appeared in May, Apple maintained the number of office days at two per week and postponed the plan to expand it to three days, citing the pandemic. In reality, it is also evaluated that the postponement was due to strong internal employee opposition, with some employees voicing their concerns even at the risk of resignation.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "I am pleased that we can take a step forward in our hybrid work experiment. The revised system will enhance our ability to work flexibly while preserving direct collaboration, which is at the core of our culture. We know there is still much to learn. We promise to listen more, apply what we learn, and grow together."
Bloomberg interpreted that Apple’s in-person developer conference held on campus in June for the first time since 2019 signals that Apple is returning to normal operations. Bloomberg added that Apple is preparing an event next month to announce the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch 8, and is also preparing to release upgraded Macs and iPads by the end of this year.
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