Microsoft Will Let Employees Work From Home Permanently If They Choose To: Report
Microsoft has announced that it will let employees work from home permanently. The catch they will have to give up their office space in doing so. The decision follows a larger trend being followed by tech majors Facebook earlier said that half of its staff could be permanently working remotely within five to 10 years.
The corporate world has embraced the work-from-home culture to the extent, many firms have opted to continue the practice even in the future free from Covid-19. Joining the bandwagon, technology major Microsoft has now announced that it will let employees work from home permanently if they wish to do so.
Amid the on-going pandemic, Microsoft employees in the US are working from home at present and will not be joining the workspaces at least till January next year. But once they do, Microsoft employees will now have an option of extending their work from home practice instead. The catch, they will have to give up their office space in doing so.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think, live and work in new ways," Microsoft's Chief People Officer Kathleen Hogan said in a note to employees obtained by The Verge. "We will offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual workstyles, while balancing business needs and ensuring we live our culture," the note further reads.
(Representative Image: Microsoft)
In another statement to AFP, a Microsoft spokesperson said, "Our goal is to evolve the way we work over time with intention -- guided by employee input, data and our commitment to support individual workstyles and business needs while living our culture."
Stay at home
As per The Verge report, Microsoft employees who wish to work from home will need approval from their managers to do so. Even without the approval, employees will be allowed to work remotely on a permanent basis, but only for less than 50 percent of their week.
The permanent work-from-home option will not be extended to all the employees as some won¡¯t be eligible for the same. Examples include those who work in Microsoft's labs or train other employees.
Microsoft Will Let Employees Work From Home Permanently If They Choose To: Report
Microsoft was also reported to state that it is possible for its workers to relocate across the United States or even overseas. In such a case, employees may have salary adjustments depending on where they go. The company will even cover the expenses for employees' home offices.
The decision follows a larger trend being followed by tech majors. Facebook earlier said that half of its staff could be permanently working remotely within five to 10 years. Infosys laid similar emphasis on work-from-home culture being propelled in the company since long.
