Apple Park staff have been told that they will begin returning to work in phases starting Monday, June 15, a new report claims.
A “very limited” number of workers will be allowed in the office on certain days, depending on their role — and there will be restrictions. Apple has reportedly warned employees that most won’t go back for several months.
“Apple also reiterated in the memo that it is limiting how many people are allowed in buildings and other work area simultaneously, implementing social distancing, taking temperatures and requiring employees at the office to pass a daily health check,” reads a Wednesday report from Bloomberg.
Apple started clamping down on office working back in March when it also closed all retail stores outside of Greater China. It told employees to work from home whenever possible, and only visit the office if necessary. It also implemented strict deep cleaning and distancing guidelines.
A phased return to Apple Park
Although a very limited number of Apple Park employees — such as those working on new hardware and software planned for the second half of 2020 — have continued to visit the office, most have been working remotely. And it could be a while before they’re all back.
Phase one of the return to Apple Park, which kicks off June 15, will see a “very limited” number of workers allowed in the building. They will be asked to practice social distancing and pass a daily health check. Apple has also “strongly encouraged” staff to take on-site or at-home COVID-19 tests.
All Apple employees will be required to wear face at all times — not only in Apple Park, but also throughout the company’s other Silicon Valley offices.
It is not clear when phase two will begin, but the internal memo warns that most employees will not return to Apple Park for several months, Bloomberg adds. Apple is expected to provide employees with more information later this month.
Recovering from the pandemic
In other Apple offices outside of Silicon Valley, phase one of the return to work kicked off in May. Apple is moving faster than some of its peers in the technology industry, with Google not planning to reopen offices until July 6, and Twitter allowing employees to work from home permanently.
Apple has also begun reopening retail stores. Most locations in Australia were back in action in early May, while others in Japan and countries throughout Europe started opening their doors a couple of weeks ago. In the U.S., some stores have opened, with many offering only curbside service.
