'The ability to reconnect in person has been re-energizing for many of us, and will make us even more effective in the weeks and months ahead'
Some Google offices in different parts of the world have re-opened and are welcoming back workers – but the company has announced it is extending its global “voluntary return-to-office policy” through Jan. 10, 2022 to give workers flexibility and choice as they ramp back.
This comes shortly after a July 28 announcement by CEO Sundar Pichai that the global work-from-home policy would be extended to Oct. 18.
“The road ahead may be a little longer and bumpier than we hoped, yet I remain optimistic that we will get through it together,” he said in a recent blog ost. “It’s heartening to see Googlers starting to come back to more offices globally. The ability to reconnect in person has been re-energizing for many of us, and will make us even more effective in the weeks and months ahead.”
The change in plan follows similar announcements by Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Uber as the pandemic delays employer plans.
More than half (56 per cent) of senior managers in Canada will require their teams to be on-site full time once COVID-19-related restrictions are completely lifted, according to a report.
After Jan. 10, Google will allow countries and offices in different locations to make determinations on when to end voluntary work-from-home based on local conditions. The company will give workers a 30-day notice before they are expected to be back in the office to give them ample time to plan their return, says Pichai.
More than 70 per cent of workers in the information technology sector will quit their job if their employer forces them to head back to the office, according to a survey.
‘Rest and recharge’
Google is also giving its workers two global reset days on Oct. 22 and Dec. 17 to give them time “to rest and recharge,” says Pichai.
Manulife recently announced it is introducing “Fuel up Fridays” for employees starting Sept. 10.
More than six in 10 (61 per cent) working professionals in the U.S. said they experienced burnout in 2020, according to another report.
Google also announced in July that all employees going to its U.S. offices must be vaccinated, and this policy would be rolled out to other regions in the coming months.
Canadian HR Reporter spoke with a legal expert for answers to six legal questions about mandatory vax policies for the workplace.
