Microsoft has published new “flexible workplace” guidelines for its employees, announcing that it will be adjusting hours to address new demands in the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The company said it will now permit most employees to work from home for less than 50 percent of their working week, or for managers to approve permanent remote working. “For most roles, we view working from home part of the time (less than 50%) as now standard – assuming manager and team alignment,” said Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s chief people officer, in a statement.
Microsoft added that although some roles will be harder to permanently transition to remote, work schedule flexibility is now considered standard for most roles. “While part-time continues to be subject to manager approval, our guidance is meant to facilitate an open conversation between a manager and employee regarding considerations,” said Hogan, adding that returning to many of the company’s offices around the world is still optional for employees, except for essential onsite roles.
The guidance comes after Microsoft enforced an obligatory work from home policy earlier this year and reportedly notified employees that its US offices won't be reopening until January 2021 at the earliest.
