Permanent teleworking has hit a wall in Cupertino. Among Apple’s plans is a return to offices under a hybrid model, which combines face-to-face and remote work. This was not enough, given that some employees have announced their resignation while others have already accepted offers from competing companies which of course have teleworking as their main attraction.
Resignations and offers from other companies
Apple employees say it’s harder than ever to get permission to work remotely after the company rolls out a new hybrid model that requires people to return to the office three days a week from September. Some employees say they will resign if Apple doesn’t change positions.
From The Verge, they were able to verify how at least ten employees of a Slack channel with more than 6,000 members claim that will leave the company consequence of this hybrid model. A previous survey found that 36.7% of those polled said they should leave Apple if this telecommuting policy is upheld.
At the moment, the employees are organizing to try to win this match. In September, the impact will begin to be felt in the ranks of Apple
While other companies in Silicon Valley have implemented permanent teleworking, Apple is one of the few to choose to maintain at least several days in person. Depending on the hybrid model that Apple will require of all employees, with a few exceptions, it will be compulsory to work in the office, at least, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesdays and Fridays, you can choose to work remotely or go to the office.
This formula is a striking concession for a company that values interactions with employees above all. as a way to encourage spontaneous creativity. But this is not enough for those who aspire to work from home permanently and even to change city by taking advantage of this modality.
Apple culture and telecommuting
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many companies to continue operating with some or all of their workforce remotely. Teleworking was imposed out of necessity, showing that in many cases andlarge-scale implementation is possible. For Apple, it has always been clear that this was a temporary situation, and the objective of which is to do without telework from this September.
Apple’s senior vice president of personnel, Tim Cook and Deirdre O’Brien, have repeatedly said there needs to be a balance between virtual and in-person working. From where the hybrid modality arises as an alternative to a permanent face-to-face session.
Apple expects its staff to fill their respective office positions on set days. Thus, a minimum of interactions between staff is guaranteed, leading to a more creative environment than what teleworking can offer. It is quite possible that for the company it is also a means of reducing leaks in the press on future products.
For Apple, product, software and service launches have been very successful “despite” and “not because” of teleworking. They see that much of the work before the outbreak of the pandemic allowed them to weather the storm with ease. And once the right conditions are met, you have to share an office again.
