Apple Will Grant US Staff Full Thanksgiving Week Off
Apple employees will receive time off in November 2026, with retail and support teams granted alternative leave days.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Apple CEO John Ternus announced that most US divisions will receive the Monday through Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2026 off. Retail and AppleCare employees will be granted three alternative days of leave at a later date.
Why it matters
Management introduced this time-off policy to recognize employee contributions and hard work. For operators, this represents a shift in labor scheduling and holiday benefits that can impact operational capacity during the peak retail window.
The policy grants most US staff the full week of Thanksgiving off in 2026, while retail and AppleCare employees will receive 3 days of alternative leave. The specific scheduling for these compensatory days remains to be determined.
The players
John Ternus
The current CEO of Apple who announced the Thanksgiving leave policy.
Apple
A multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics and services.
Tim Cook
The executive who previously set the precedent for holiday leave policy at Apple.
The details
CEO John Ternus communicated the leave policy via an email to staff. Employees are directed to access the company People site to review specific implementation details regarding the holiday schedule. The move marks a return to a practice previously utilized under former leadership, who historically pivoted between opening and closing retail locations during the holiday week.
Timeline
2011: Tim Cook granted the first Thanksgiving leave as CEO.
2012: Apple opened select retail stores on Thanksgiving.
2013: Tim Cook vetoed planned Thanksgiving retail store openings.
Thanksgiving 2026: Apple US staff receive full week of leave.
Market Landscape
This move follows the 2013 decision by Tim Cook to veto Thanksgiving retail store openings. It reflects a recurring strategic tension between holiday retail staffing demands and the company's internal approach to holiday leave.
Business owners should review their own holiday scheduling policies to manage employee expectations against customer demand. Operators can consult the company People site to confirm specific logistics for teams.
The takeaway
Employee benefits are a key factor in staff retention and morale during high-pressure holiday seasons. Business owners should track how their peers in consumer-facing industries adjust staffing schedules to align with changing labor and leave expectations.
Further reading
For more on managing holiday labor, visit Business Strategy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AppleInsider.
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