Apple Offers Unlimited Paid Leave as Irish Worker Tests Positive for Coronavirus
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According to a Reuters report, a worker at Apple’s European headquarters in Cork, Ireland, has tested positive for coronavirus. The unnamed worker is one of 24 reported cases of the virus in the European country.
Apple confirmed the infected worker is under a self-quarantine and is no longer a threat. The company reported the case to authorities and is working to limit the spread of the virus through its headquarters. The company believes there is a low risk the worker transmitted the virus to other people in the building.
Apple employs over 6,000 workers in its Cork facility. As it has done in the U.S. and at other headquarters, employees are being asked to work from home if their job allows it. The company is also doubling its effort to deep clean its offices and retail stores around the world.
Here in the U.S., the Cupertino company introduced a new unlimited paid leave policy that makes it easy for hourly workers at its retail stores to stay home when they are sick. Workers who become ill with cold or flu symptoms similar to COVID-19 are asked not to come into work and are encouraged to stay at home as long as needed. They will be able to receive their hourly wages for their missed shifts while they recover.
The spread of coronavirus has put a hiccup in Apple’s rumored plans to launch a handful of new products this month. According to sources at and near to Apple, the Cupertino company will not hold a spring event to announce the new iPhone SE 2 or new models of the iPad Pro. Instead, the company likely will make the announcements via a series of press releases from its marketing team. Apple also pulled out of this year’s South by Southwest conference and may be forced to cancel WWDC ’20 in June.Â
