Tim Cook: Apple is hiring employees very carefully and making products needs to be returned to the office.

CTOnews.com, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) in an interview with CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company is taking a cautious approach to recruiting employees at a time of increased economic uncertainty.

When asked about Apple's hiring plans, Cook said: "as a result of this period, we are hiring very carefully, which means we are continuing to recruit, but not in all departments of the company." Cook also said Apple continues to believe in long-term investments.

Last month, Apple suspended the recruitment of many non-R & D jobs as a cost-cutting measure, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported. The move affected some "corporate functions" and "standard hardware and software engineering roles," the report said.

Cook also mentioned Apple's back-to-office policy, CTOnews.com learned. Since September, Apple employees have been required to work in the office three days a week. "We make products," Cook said. "you have to touch the products. You have to work with others because we believe that one plus one equals three."