As many office buildings have closed their doors because of the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of companies have come to the realization that their employees can work just as effectively from their homes. As a result, many firms are now considering giving their workers the choice to work remotely on a permanent basis. The latest to do so is Microsoft.
Though most of Microsoft’s employees are still working from home during the ongoing pandemic, the tech giant has unveiled a “hybrid workplace” guidance internally to offer employees greater flexibility once the pandemic subsides.
As part of the new working environment, Microsoft will allow employees to work from home freely for less than 50 percent of their time at work, or for managers to approve permanent remote work.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think, live, and work in new ways,” says Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s chief people officer, in a note to employees. “We will offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual work styles while balancing business needs, and ensuring we live our culture.”
A few roles, however, won’t be able to take advantage of the new “hybrid workplace. Employees involved in hardware development, data centers, and in-person training, for example, will still have to show up at the office.
People with jobs that can be done entirely from will also be allowed to relocate internationally. What’s more, the plan is to also allow employees to have flexible work schedules, allowing them to pick their own working hours.
