In a memo sent to its employees around the world, Google announced Monday that they will be allowed to work from home through at least July 2021, as the coronavirus pandemic continue to surge across the country.
"To give employees the ability to plan ahead, we'll be extending our global voluntary work from home option through June 30, 2021 for roles that don't need to be in the office," Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in a memo to all employees. "I hope this will offer the flexibility you need to balance work with taking care of yourselves and your loved ones over the next 12 months."
The decision by one of the world's largest tech companies indicates that companies believe the pandemic will continue into at least the second quarter of 2021. Twitter announced in May that their employees would be allowed to work from home permanently, indicating a shift in the tech industry's attitude about remote workers. Facebook followed with a similar announcement as well.
"I know it hasnât been easy," Pichai wrote. âI hope this will offer the flexibility you need to balance work with taking care of yourselves and your loved ones over the next 12 months."
Nearly all of Google's 200,000 full-time and contract employees will be allowed to work from home through next year. According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, Pichai made the decision last week after working with an internal group of executives he chairs. The decision was made in part due to the uncertainty about whether children will be allowed to return to school in the fall, or allow their staff to sign new leases if they choose to move.
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