Apple Extends Thanksgiving Break for US Employees, Continues ‘Steve Days’ Tradition

Apple has announced extended Thanksgiving leave for its US employees, with most teams receiving three additional days off—Monday through Wednesday—before the holiday weekend. Retail staff, AppleCare employees, and international teams will be able to use the extra days at a later date.
The tradition, known internally as “Steve Days,” dates back to co-founder Steve Jobs, who introduced the gesture to thank staff for their contributions. Apple CEO Tim Cook has continued the practice to recognise employee efforts.
In a company note, Cook highlighted Apple’s performance in 2025 as the reason for the additional leave, citing strong momentum for the iPhone 17, accolades for Apple TV+, and the wider impact of Apple’s ecosystem on developers and users. He framed the extra time off as both a celebration of achievements and an opportunity for staff to recharge with family and friends.
The continuation of “Steve Days” reflects Apple’s culture of appreciation and the company’s effort to maintain a connection between its current values and the legacy of its co-founder.
​