Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), one of the first major U.S. companies to send employees home last year because of the coronavirus, is setting new remote work guidelines as it speeds up plans to get staffers back to the office.
As millions more Americans get vaccinated by the day, Google is accelerating reopening plans in some parts of the U.S. on a volunteer basis ahead of the Sept. 1 return deadline. Reports say offices will reopen in a limited capacity in April based on vaccine availability and a downward trend in COVID-19 cases.
"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," wrote Fiona Cicconi, Google’s new head of people operations, in a companywide email on Wednesday. Cicconi advised employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine but said it’s not mandatory.
If employees want to work remotely after Sept. 1, for more than 14 days per year, they’ll have to formally apply for it, according to a separate note marked "Need to know." They can apply for up to 12 months in "the most exceptional circumstances." The company could, however, call employees back to their assigned office at any point, the note said.
Google is preparing for a broad reopening in September, when employees will be expected to show up in person three days a week.
Google added that “permanent moves for personal reasons are still on hold.”
Shares in Google parent Alphabet Inc. popped $36.17, or 1.8% in Thursday’s first hour, to $2,098.69.
