Apple is retooling work schedules to provide more flexibility for retail employees in an attempt to get ahead of unionization efforts.
The Cupertino tech giant has begun informing staff at certain stores that new scheduling changes are set to roll out soon. Some changes will go into effect in the next few weeks, while others may not arrive until later in the year.
The changes, seen by Bloomberg, are as follows:
- A minimum of 12 hours in between shifts, an increase from the current minimum of 10 hours.
- A maximum of three days per week when employees can work past 8 p.m., unless they choose to work late shifts.
- Employees won’t be scheduled to work more than five days in a row, a change from a maximum of six days in a row. There could be exemptions during new product launches and holidays.
- Full-time employees will be eligible for a dedicated weekend day off for each six-month period.
The retooled benefits are taking place as Apple prepares to battle unionization efforts that are taking place across the U.S. in its retail locations.
In February, Apple planned to dole out raises to employees in retail locations.
Later, in May, the company began notifying employees that it would increase the starting wage for retail employees to $22 per hour.
Employees in Atlanta were set to hold a union vote, only to later withdraw it. The labor group representing the retail staff alleged that Apple carried out illegal union-busting tactics.