Google changing remote working policy as it is reopening its offices

Google now bringing change in its work-from-home policy as it is looking forward to getting more people back into its US office.

However, the tech firm will permit the employees to work from home for more than 14 days a year if they apply. Google will be continuing its current work-from-home arrangements till 1st September, on the other hand, it permits the people to return voluntarily from next month.

Notably, the tech giant was one of the first companies to provide working from home when the pandemic struck in the last year.

On Wednesday Fiona Cicconi, Google’s head of people operations wrote in a company email “It’s now been a year since many of us have been working from home, and the thought of returning to the office might inspire different emotions.”

Till now, the initial return period will be voluntary because offices are now slowly reopening with the limited capacity on basis of vaccine availability and the downward trend in the Covid-19 cases.

In September, staff needed to officially return. Ms. Cicconi mentioned, “won’t look exactly the way you remember them” but “will include meals, snacks and amenities where possible.” By referring to Google’s bring-your-dog-to-work group she added, “We will even be welcoming our Dooglers back.”Nitably, there is now a dog park at its Mountain View campus called The Doogleplex.

Currently, the company is advising workers to get vaccinated against the Covid-19. But they are not making it obligatory for returning to their workplace.

Moreover, Google mentioned long-term work-from0home arrangements are available. However, the staff can apply up to 12 months in “the most exceptional circumstances.”

Approach

Well, Google is creating a different approach from its tech rivals who have permitted most of the staff can continue remote work indefinitely. Twitter mentioned that it will allow most of its employees to work from home permanently.

There are a number of big companies who have planned to examine the so-called hybrid work arrangements, where the employees split their time between the office and home.

Carolyn Everson, the vice president of Facebook’s global business group mentioned “None of us have this all figured out,” while talking about the current work-from-home arrangements.

The senior Facebook executive told Bloomberg’s panel, “We are making this up on the fly. The reality is we are all trying to figure it out together.” 

In May beginning, Facebook will begin to reopen its Silicon Valley offices after a year of working from home. It said the large offices won’t reach the 50% mark until the first week of September.