Technology giant Apple (AAPL) has told staff that it is delaying a planned return to U.S. offices until an undetermined future date.
A memo from Apple chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Cook said workers would get advance notes a month before a new return date is set, and that each employee would receive $1,000 U.S. to outfit their home for remote work.
Apple previously planned for most employees to return to offices on February 1, 2022.
Google told its employees earlier this month that they would not be required to come back into the office on January 10, as previously planned. Other technology companies including Lyft, Uber, and Amazon have also pushed back their return dates.
The delay comes amid concerns about rising COVID-19 cases and the public health impact of the heavily mutated Omicron variant.
Apple first sent corporate employees to work from home in March 2020 at the outset of the pandemic in the U.S., although some office workers have returned, and most Apple stores are now open for business.
Nevertheless, the company has continued to introduce new products and boost sales in the pandemic era, although the company’s culture historically emphasizes in-person collaboration, symbolized by its circular headquarters, Apple Park, located in Cupertino, California.
Earlier this week, Apple closed three stores in response to rising COVID-19 cases and required customers shopping in any Apple store in the U.S. to wear masks regardless of local requirements.