Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave, Sends Email To Employees

Steve Jobs has decided to take another medical leave of absence, which was granted by the Apple board of directors.  Jobs placed Apple COO Tim Cook in charge of the day to day operations of Apple, and left with a final email to employees – you can read that email below.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is apparently continuing to struggle with his issues.

On Monday, Jobs requested of the Apple board of directors, and was granted, a medical leave of absence – there was no mention of an expected return date.

After the leave of absence was granted, Steve Jobs was quoted as saying:

“At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health,” Jobs said in an email to Apple employees. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.  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.”

It is unclear at the moment exactly what the medical issues are that Jobs is facing.

According to BusinessInsider.com, it’s unclear if Jobs’ health situation is related to his liver transplant from 2009, whether his cancer has returned, or if there is a new problem. Long term complications to liver transplants can include skin cancer, lymphoma and a host of infections. We don’t anticipate Apple to elaborate, as it has not been forthcoming with Jobs’ health details in the past.

Steve Jobs left the company on Monday with an email to all of the Apple employees – here’s the email:

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