Apple has joined the growing number of businesses pushing back against permanent home working during the pandemic by ordering all of it’s staff to work from the office at least 3 days per week.
From 5 September all employees will be expected to come into the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus one additional day per week, to be agreed with their manager.
Apple had first tried to launch a hybrid working model in June 2021 but it has been repeatedly delayed, in part due to the pandemic but also following resistance from staff. Some employees wrote that “Without the inclusivity that flexibility brings, many of us feel we have to choose between either a combination of our families, our well-being, and being empowered to do our best work, or being part of Apple.”
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO has said that the move would “enhance our ability to work flexibly, while preserving the in-person collaboration that is so essential to our culture”.
This is the latest push back by employers against the demands of some employees to be allowed to continue working from home on a permanent basis following the pandemic. Most employers we are speaking to are now pushing for at least a hybrid working pattern with some pushing for full time office working, often focussing on the benefits to teamwork and collaboration of staff being in the office together. A key element in any employer’s decision will be the terms of their employee’s contracts which will often stipulate that they are to work from a specific workplace. This gives the employer significant power to compel a return to the office, however this must be balanced against the risk of staff leaving for a job elsewhere which does offer hybrid or home working.
If this is affecting you or your business please do contact our Employment Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.