The return-to-office movement is heating up, with Apple reportedly threatening action against employees that are refusing to embrace their new commute.
After the remote work honeymoon of the early pandemic, tech companies got antsy and wanted their employees back in the office, despite higher productivity numbers and notable improvements to mental well-being.
Apple has been at the forefront of this movement, battling with employees on a regular basis about returning to the office.
Apple Warns of Firings for Employees That Don't Return to Office
According to tweets from a source familiar with the matter, Apple has been taking some stern steps towards getting employees back in the office, including tracking attendance with dedicated software and giving out “escalating warnings” to employees that don't adhere.
And yes, there have been rumors that they will take it even further if these employees hold strong in their remote work commitment.
“At Apple, some orgs are saying failure to comply could result in termination, but that doesn't appear to be a company-wide policy.” – Zoë Schiffer, managing editor at Platformer.
The report signals growing turbulence at the tech firm, as employees continue to make noise about the Apple's return to office policy.
Apple's Return-to-Office Woes
Despite Apple being one of the few tech companies that haven't made layoffs in recent months, employees still aren't feeling great about the company, as the return-to-work policy continues to divide management from the staff. One group of employees even banded together to create Apple Together, something of a union in service of helping leadership understand staff demands.
When hybrid work policy went into effect on September 5th last year, CEO Tim Cook explained in a memo that he knows it will be a polarizing time for employees.
“For many of you, I know that returning to the office represents a long-awaited milestone and a positive sign that we can engage more fully with the colleagues who play such an important role in our lives. For others, it may also be an unsettling change. I want you to know that we are deeply committed to giving you the support and flexibility that you need in this next phase.” – Tim Cook, Apple CEO
Whether the desire to get employees back in the office is an actual push towards productivity or just a way to keep the corporate real estate market from crashing is neither here nor there. Tech firms like Apple have drawn a line in the sand in regard to their expectations, and news like this shows that they aren't messing around when it comes to enforcing these policies.
