Apple does a Google, gives workers 'free time' perks

Apple Inc. is taking a page from fellow tech giant —and smartphone-tablet rival— Google Inc. by giving its workers free time to concentrate on their pet engineering projects.

 

Dubbed "Blue Sky," the program allows employees leeway to concentrate on their personal projects, according to a report on The Wall Street Journal.

 

The WSJ report said Apple's apparently friendlier attitude toward its employees came on the watch of Tim Cook, who succeeded the late Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs last year. Addressing workers' issues

 

Cook has also signaled he is more open to letting employees take sabbaticals, WSJ quoted an executive who had spoken to him about it.

 

But WSJ added the status of "Blue Sky" is unclear at this time.

 

It said iPhone software head Scott Forstall, who was involved in the program, was pushed out of the firm just last month.

 

Still, it said Apple is trying to address workers' issues including flexibility at work.

 

Increasing competition

 

Apple's move comes amid more heated competition from rivals like Google and Korea's Samsung Electronics.

 

WSJ noted Apple’s shares declined 23 percent from their high of $702.10 in September, closing Monday at $542.83.

 

"The falling stock price may have a psychological effect on employees. When asked whether they were looking to leave, two Apple employees recently told friends to ask them when their stock grants vest," it said.

 

Employee perks

 

The WSJ report compared Apple's new program to Google's "20% time," which allows workers to spend a fifth of their time on their own projects.

 

Cook also rolled out new corporate benefits such as new employee discounts on Apple products and a charitable matching program, it added.

 

Counteroffers to departing workers

 

WSJ also quoted executives who tried to hire Apple staffers as saying Apple has become more aggressive in giving counter-offers to some employees thinking of leaving.

 

It said Apple is also highlighting the attractiveness of its compensation packages. — TJD, GMA News