Apple Begins ‘Cracking Down’ on Slack Channels Unrelated to Work as Remote Work Saga Continues

Apple has reportedly begun “cracking down” on internal Slack channels that are directly unrelated to work. This comes at a time when disgruntled staff members have begun rallying through Slack to voice their concerns regarding the company’s shift to a hybrid remote work model later this year.

For Apple staff, Slack has become a platform for internal communication not only for their day-to-day work life. It’s also become a messaging tool as tensions build throughout the company over Apple’s firm stance on employees returning to the office. The Verge‘s Zoe Schiffer wrote a full thread on Twitter, explaining the current landscape between Apple executives and staff members.

Apple’s internal debate about remote work is continuing to rage. Here’s a little thread with news that hasn’t been reported yet:

— Zoë Schiffer (@ZoeSchiffer) July 27, 2021

Apple staff has already written two formal letters to the executive and leadership team at Apple, expressing their feelings about a hybrid work model. Many feel that a shift could negatively affect work-life balance and threaten the accessibility given to certain employees. Apple CEO Tim Cook and senior vice president of retail and people Deirdre O’Brien have remained still in their decision to introduce a work model which would see employees return Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Apple employees have also reportedly seen remote work requests denied. Although unrelated to staff requests, Apple delayed the transition from September to October due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the US.

Schiffer now reports that a segment of staff object to the last letter sent to Apple, which included proposed pay cuts for remote workers. However, the staff responsible for writing the second letter stated that Apple “already adjusts pay for fully remote workers outside the Bay Area.”

Additionally, Slack channels being used to discuss the current situation may be at risk. Schiffer states:

Apple also recently began cracking down on Slack channels that aren’t directly related to work. The company bans channels ‘for activities and hobbies’ that aren’t directly related to projects or part of official employee groups — but this wasn’t always enforced, employees say.”

Schiffer also states that since Friday of last week, three Apple employees have resigned specifically due to the company’s remote work policies. It’s unclear how the situation will continue to unfold between now and October.