Apple Fined S$1,000 For Allegedly Hosting Farewell Party For Employee At Orchard Store

Apparently, Apple isn’t just making news with their iPhone 13.

They’re also in the news today for another reason, and it’s not a good one.

Apple Fined S$1,000 For Allegedly Hosting Farewell Party For Employee At Orchard Store

According to a Straits Times report, Apple was fined S$1,000 for holding a social gathering event at their store with more than 50 staff members involved.

The event happened on 18 June.

Reader Bao: You sure it’s a gathering and not a party where the hosts are 45 people?

Yes, definitely not that.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), staff of the fruity company were there to celebrate the “last day” of an employee.

No Social Events By Companies

Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, companies are not allowed to throw any physical social gathering for their employees.

Now, if it was a Zoom gathering, that would be okay.

STB added that they have increased enforcement checks at tourism areas and businesses at each phase of Singapore’s reopening, no matter whether it’s shopping malls or standalone stores.

It also issued a promise to errant businesses and individuals out there:

“We will continue to conduct regular enforcement checks and will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against businesses or members of public who flout safe management measures.”

TL;DR : Don’t play-play, as a yellow-boot-wearing, contractor-turn-vaccination-ambassador would say.

Other Things Employers Should Do

Well, if you’re like Apple and not clear about the current COVID-19 measures for employers (because it changes too fast), we’ve got you covered.

Other than not throwing your employees a party because one of them is leaving the company, you should also get staff in the workplace to WFH for 14 days if one of your staff tests positive.

That must be done within 24 hours.

The affected area(s) must also be cleaned thoroughly and sanitised, and the employees should be encouraged (read: told) to minimise their social interaction.

As for those who want to try their luck and “test the system”, as our very old-fashioned boss would say, just take note that the results might not be pretty.

On a separate note, what do you think you’ll need to do if your PCR test results return positive?

Other than screaming your head off, here are ten steps you need to do to ensure you’ll get through COVID-19 infection without losing your health or money.

Read Also:

• A Step-By-Step Guide For Employers If Their Staff Comes Down With COVID-19
• Everything You Need To Know About The Updates To S’pore COVID-19 Health Protocols Starting This Week

Featured Image: Irene.co/shutterstock.com