Break time
Apple's CEO Steve Jobs has told his employees that he will take ‘medical leave,' spending time away from the firm to focus on his health.
According to the BBC, Jobs sent an email to his workers to inform them of his plans, where he said he would continue as chief exec of Apple and be involved in big decisions. However, COO Tim Cook will reportedly take over the day-to-day running of the company.
While Jobs gave no details about why he is taking leave, it is well known that the iconic Apple figure has previously battled cancer.
According to Auntie, Jobs took time out for 6 months from late 2008 to have a liver transplant, which is just one of the treatments he has had to fight pancreatic cancer. He was apparently first diagnosed as suffering from the disease in 2004.
In his email, Jobs apparently said he will be back as soon as he can.
The internal communication reportedly read: "At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company. I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple's day to day operations."
Cook has previously taken care of running Apple in Jobs' absence, ensuring a smooth period of transition but never-the-less Apple shares traded in Frankfurt have apparently plunged 7 percent upon the news. It is a public holiday in the US but it will be interesting to see how the Dow reacts tomorrow.
Jobs' break comes just ahead of Apple's Q1 results expected tomorrow and ahead of Apple's rumoured launch of the iPad 2 in the coming months.
