To retain employees in a labor market which heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple is going to introduce new incentives for its Apple Stores employees across the U.S. In 270 Apple retail stores, employees will be entitled to more paid leaves and vacation days in a year.
At the outbreak of the Omicron variant, the tech giant had to close retail stores in U.S. and Canada because several employees had tested positive for COVID-19. Later, the employees complained that health SOPs were not followed and store managers forced them to come to work in spite of showing symptoms.
More importantly, a retail employee committed suicide and his colleagues blamed the company’s policies which lead to mental and financial issues.
Apple gives more benefits to part-time and full-time retail employees in the United States
According to Bloomberg, the new changes going into effect on April 4, 2022, for part-time and full-time retail employees are as follows:
- Doubling paid sick days for both full-time and part-time workers. The days can be used for mental health leave and taking family members to the doctor. This change will give full-time workers 12 paid sick days, instead of six.
- Workers will receive more annual vacation days, beginning at three years of employment instead of five.
- Part-time employees will now get as many as six paid vacation days for the first time. Another first: They’ll get paid parental leave. That benefit will cover up to six weeks and will include the ability to gradually ramp up work time for the first four weeks back.
- Part-time workers also will get access to discounted emergency backup care for children or elderly family members.
The changes have been confirmed by Apple’s spokesman.
Last year, retail employees organized a walkout to demand better working conditions. Although only a few workers across three states walked out, the event became a sign that all is not well for employees at Apple’s retail stores and changes are to be made to make the workplace better.
