Apple Inc chief executive officer Tim Cook said he\u2019s been impressed by employees\u2019 ability to operate remotely and predicted that some new work habits will remain after the pandemic.<\/p>\n
During an interview at The Atlantic Festival on Monday, Cook said Apple created products including new Apple Watches and iPads that are launching on time this year, despite the need for most employees to work away from the office due to Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Cook said he doesn\u2019t believe Apple will \u201creturn to the way we were because we\u2019ve found that there are some things that actually work really well virtually.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments contrast with the views of other executives, such as Netflix Inc\u2019s Reed Hastings, who recently called remote work \u201ca pure negative,\u201d and Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase & Co, who warned of lasting damage if workers don\u2019t get back to the office soon.<\/p>\n
Cook said 10% to 15% of Apple employees have gone back to the office and he hopes the majority of staff can return to the company\u2019s new campus in Silicon Valley sometime next year.<\/p>\n
The CEO said he goes into the office at different points during the week and he noted that remote work is \u201cnot like being together physically.\u201d Working in the office sparks creativity such as during impromptu meetings, he added.<\/p>\n
The Apple executive also said the company focuses on policy and not politics when asked about his discussions with US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
Cook was also asked how long he foresees running the Cupertino, California-technology giant. \u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d he said. \u201cAt some point, of course, we all do something different.\u201d<\/p>\n