Apple Takes Cue From Google, Encourages Employees to Work on Pet Projects [REPORT]

Apple has launched an initiative called "Blue Sky," which encourages employees to devote some of their time to personal pet projects.

Not much is known about the program except that it allows a "small group of staffers" to spend "a few weeks" on their pet engineering projects, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Apple's Blue Sky is similar to Google's "20% Time" policy, which lets employees spend a fifth of their time working on personal projects. Google, however, is a very different company from Apple; the latter is known for being focused and tightly organized, with upper management controlling all important projects.

The WSJ says the program is just one of a few new initiatives started by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Others include new employee discounts on Apple products and a charitable matching program.