Jobs Forced on Medical Leave Again

Effective immediately, Big Steve has been made to take medical leave from Apple again, handing the reigns over to COO Tim Cook and sending the following memo to Apple’s employees.

Team, 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. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011. I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy. Steve

You may remember Steve’s first Apple absences – in 2004 for pancreatic cancer, and 2009 for a liver transplant. That he’s survived this long only serves to underscore the fact that he’s an unstoppable robot man. So really, nobody should fret that this is anything Steve can’t beat. It remains to be seen, however, if shareholders will share such optimism tomorrow.