The Shortcut

Share this post

Apple store customers could be asked to tip employees, if this union's demands are met

www.theshortcut.com

Discover more from The Shortcut

The Shortcut is the #1 consumer tech publication on Substack, designed to be your one-stop editorial guide to simplify your life. More than just PS5 restock information, we also cover news, reviews and provide best-in-class buying guides.
Over 135,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Sign in
News

Apple store customers could be asked to tip employees, if this union's demands are met

Employees will also be given up to 45 days a year bereavement leave if a pet dies

Adam Vjestica
May 4, 2023
3
Share this post

Apple store customers could be asked to tip employees, if this union's demands are met

www.theshortcut.com
1
Share
Apple store in Palo Alto, California
(Credit: Apple)

Would you be willing to tip an Apple store employee after picking up your new iPhone 15 Pro Max or MacBook Air? That could be a possibility if a store in Maryland gets its way.

The Apple Store in Towson, Maryland became the first to successfully unionize in the US, and the workers have some bold demands.

First, they’d like a 10% pay increase but also want to make radical changes to vacation policy, bereavement leave, overtime, and – as mentioned above – being able to ask for tips.

➡️ The Shortcut Skinny: Apple store union wishlist

  • 🤔 An Apple store in Maryland has made some interesting demands

  • 💰 The unionized store wants a large pay increase and changes to vacation and bereavement policies

  • 💁‍♂️ Employees also want to introduce tipping

  • 😯 A 5% tip on a MacBook Air M2 would cost $54.95

Bloomberg reported that the store’s representatives “are asking Apple for higher pay over a larger slate of holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving”. They’d also like to expand the current bereavement leave of 10 days per occurrence to a maximum of 45 days a year, which would be applicable if a close friend or a pet died.

In terms of tips, which frankly seems like an outrageous suggestion considering the price of Apple products in general, the employees would like tips to be offered in increments of 3%, 5%, or a custom amount so “thankful patrons” can “express gratitude for a job well done without any obligations”.

If you were to buy a pair of AirPod Pros 2 for $249, a 5% tip would cost you an extra $12.45, while a 5% tip on an entry-level MacBook Air M2 would set you back an extra $54.95. Don’t forget you’ll probably be asked if you want Apple Care, too.

Last year, footage emerged of thieves ransacking an Apple store completely unopposed. At the time, many correctly argued that staff shouldn’t risk their lives to save a few mass-produced products as they aren’t paid enough. But with demands like these, perhaps expectations will change.

It’s worth pointing out that the union said that its demands are part of “a negotiation”, so we could see some of these requests dropped or reduced significantly. Still, the idea that the customer would have to bear the brunt of Apple not paying its employees enough isn’t exactly a thrilling prospect.

Would you tip an Apple store employee if the option was available?

The Shortcut is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

3
Share this post

Apple store customers could be asked to tip employees, if this union's demands are met

www.theshortcut.com
1
Share
1 Comment
Share this discussion

Apple store customers could be asked to tip employees, if this union's demands are met

www.theshortcut.com
Twisted Fairlite
May 8Liked by Adam Vjestica

I dunno that’s kinda taking the p*** a bit. Let me go get your iPad because I personally prepared it while it’s still in a shrink wrapped box. Don’t start pulling the whole car salesman/realtor thing like the second you step foot in the premises you’re a born idiot that knows nothing about cars or houses. You go to Apple knowing what you want stop trying to oversell your point of service because there are plenty of folks out there that are probably better clued in than the Genius Bar people.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Matt Swider
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing