Though Apple has announced the return of its CEO and visionary Steve Jobs, the company is still remaining silent on the specifics surrounding his health, according to the Wall Street Journal. Among other topics of contention, Apple has not announced the status of Jobs’ workload or on-the-job responsibilities.
Having returned from a six-month medical leave of absence last week, Jobs and Apple have maintained their secrecy regarding the CEO’s medical issues, igniting a debate over to what degree disclosure is required in regards to management health. Jobs underwent a liver transplant in April, information that was only recently revealed.
The Securities and Exchange Commission opened an informal probe into the matter earlier in the year, and Apple’s board has enlisted outside counsel to represent it in the event of a more serious inquiry.
Former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt criticized Apple’s lack of disclosure, saying, “We haven’t gotten to the point where liver transplants are viewed as routine surgery,” and questioning “what processes [the board] went through in deciding what disclosure to be made.”