The return of Steve Jobs to Apple after major surgery has created tension at the firm between management and staff, it was claimed today.

Jobs' hands-on approach to a new touch-based tablet device that Apple is developing has been jarring for employees who became used to greater freedom over products and strategy while the chief executive was away.

“People have had to readjust,” a source told the Wall Street Journal. “When you've had little contact with people for so long, it takes a period of time to get reacquainted again.”

Jobs, 54, was off work for almost six months for a liver transplant. Just a few months after his return, he is said to be channelling almost all his attention into the tablet.

Those working on the project are said to be under intense scrutiny from Jobs, particularly over advertising and marketing strategy.

The chief executive's involvement is a sign of how important the new device is for Apple, the company behind the iPod and iPhone and Macintosh computers.

In the months before Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, Jobs was also on top of every detail. It is now its fastest-growing product.

Details of the new tablet are as yet unknown.