While Apple says it usually shuts down a store when 10% of staff members test positive for COVID-19, an Apple Store manager who prefers to remain anonymous mentions how overwhelmed employees are, since at least 25% of the team in their store is currently on leave due to testing positive for COVID-19 and exposure to COVID-19.
Another report from an Apple Store leader complains about how the company has been softening control measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its stores located in Brazil. While employees are concerned about the situation, the problem seems to go much deeper than that.
The employees complain about invasion of privacy as their leaders keep warning them about what they can and cannot do in their private moments. They also criticize the company for pay inequality and inadequate salary as some of them have been working in multiple roles at once since the beginning of the pandemic, but their salaries have never been adjusted upwards.
Apple Morumbi (in São Paulo) reduced its opening hours this week, while Apple VillageMall (in Rio de Janeiro) continues to operate normally. In December 2021, Apple closed all its retail stores in New York City, as well as stores in other cities across the US and Canada.
Apple said in a statement last year that it is constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation to ensure that its customers and employees are safe, but it’s unclear why some stores remain open when several employees are laid off after testing positive for COVID-19.
