Apple is increasing the amount it pays its retail and corporate employees as it struggles with a tight labor market, pressure on unions and high levels of inflation. CNBC and the Wall Street Journal are reporting† The starting hourly rate for retail workers is rising from $20 to $22 per hour — though some regions will start higher — and starting salaries are reportedly rising as well.
“By supporting and retaining the best team members in the world, we can deliver the best, most innovative products and services to our customers,” an Apple spokesperson told the company. Wall Street Journal in a statement. “This year, as part of our annual performance review process, we are increasing our total compensation budget.”
The increase was announced just weeks after an Apple store in Maryland became the third store location in the US and announced plans to unite, following efforts at stores in Georgia and New York. The company opposed these efforts in an internal video in which vice president of people and retail Deirdre O’Brien said, “I’m concerned about what it would mean to put another organization at the center of our relationship. “
if CNBC notes that a combination of a low unemployment rate of 3.6 percent and high inflation of 8.3 percent in April is driving workers in all sectors to shop around. For higher-paid tech workers, compensation has also been pressured by falling stock prices impacting stock awards, while other tech giants such as Microsoft† Amazonand google are making similar efforts to pursue these employees.
Elsewhere, Apple employees have resisted the company’s efforts to get its employees back in the office. But after recent spikes in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the company has delayed returns to the office and asked employees to wear masks again when away from their personal workspace.