The Google LLC logo is visible at their office in Manhattan, New York, New York, USA, November 17, 2021. REUTERS / Andrew Kelly
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AUCKLAND, Calif., March 2 – Google’s Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL.O) on April 4 will require employees back about three days a week at some of its offices in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Asia-Pacific region, its first step to end policies that allowed remote work due to concerns about COVID-19.
An internal email seen by Reuters on Wednesday told San Francisco Bay Area officials that “progress in prevention and treatment, the steady decline in cases we continue to see, and the improved safety measures we have implemented … now means we can officially start the transition to a hybrid work week. “
Google is joining a wave of technology and finance companies that have begun to demand a return to work. While some large employers have adopted volunteering policies from home permanently, others, including Google, have argued that it is best to encourage personal interactions between colleagues.
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Google expects most employees to be in offices about three days a week, with some differences depending on the team and role.
Everyone who comes to the office must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption, according to an email from John Casey, Google’s vice president of global benefits. Without exception, unvaccinated workers will be given the opportunity to seek one or apply for permanent telecommuting.
Fully vaccinated workers will not have to wear masks in Gulf offices, Casey said.
Google declined to name other locations that will return to normal on April 4, pending official announcements to workers at those sites.
Employees who are not ready to return on April 4 may also seek an extension of remote work, Google said.
Since last June, Google has approved nearly 14,000 employees worldwide to move to a new location or move completely away, Casey said. About 15% of applications were rejected, he added.
Google has largely restored office benefits such as free meals, massages and public transportation. But while business visitors and meetings are allowed, employees are still unable to bring families or children to dinner or attend.
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Report by Paresh Dave Edited by Chizu Nomiyama, Bernard Or
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