Apple Reverses Remote Work Policy After Machine Learning Head Decamps To Alphabet

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Gizmodo: One of Apple's highest-profile return-to-office detractors reportedly landed a new gig at Alphabet's DeepMind, marking the latest drama over Big Tech's remote work scuffles. That move, ironically, comes right around the same time Apple decided to walk back its most recent return-to-office push. In an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg Tuesday, the company said it will delay its three-day in-office work requirement set to take effect on May 23. The memo reportedly cited the recent uptick in covid-19 cases for the delay and didn't provide any hard date for when they'd try again. Apple workers are still required to work in the office two days per week and will now have to wear masks in common areas.

At the same time, Ian Goodfellow, Apple's former Director of Machine Learning, who dramatically left the company at least in part over its remote work restrictions, will reportedly join Alphabet's DeepMind. Sources told Bloomberg Goodfellow will join DeepMind as an 'individual contributor.' He had previously worked as a senior researcher at Google back in 2019. That job switch marks a major blow for Apple, a company that's struggled to appease workers at odds with its return to work strategy. Goodfellow, who's the most senior member known to have jumped ship over remote work so far, reportedly addressed the issue directly in a note to staff obtained by The Verge's Zoe Schiffer. 'I believe strongly that more flexibility would have been the best policy for my team,' Goodfellow reportedly wrote. The report notes that Alphabet hasn't fully embraced a remote-first office either, 'thought previous reports suggest Google more regularly approves remote requests [than Apple].'

As office returns accelerate, many workers are willing to give up their jobs over workplace flexibility. According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults last year, 39% said they 'would consider quitting if their employers weren't flexible about remote work.' That figure was 49% among millennials and Gen Z.

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