With COVID-19 vaccination rates on the rise, major US tech
companies are diverging on how and when to reopen their offices. Alphabet's
Google announced employees can voluntarily return to the office starting in
late July, while Apple expects employees to work from the office three days per
week starting in early September.
Twitter employees shared pictures of their breakfasts and
unmasked selfies in the elevator. One employee, referencing the food and music
at the social media firm's San Francisco office, wrote on Twitter, "I am
more stoked than I expected to be."
While some employees expressed excitement, most want minimal
time in the office. An internal company survey found that 45 percent of
employees in San Francisco and 63 percent in New York intend to return to the
office, even if just one day per week. The remaining intend to keep working
remotely.
Twitter, which announced in May 2020 that employees could
work from anywhere, is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for office
reentry. The company is still allowing employees whose jobs can be done
remotely to work from home indefinitely. Twitter CFO Ned Segal said in a tweet
that the company hopes to support employees "whether on their sofa or in
an office."
Twitter will continue to adjust employees' salaries based on
cost of living in their location - a consideration for those who choose to work
remotely. Facebook and Google have also reaffirmed their commitment to
location-based pay policies.
Twitter will decide when to reopen other offices based on
COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates in each location, according to the
company.
© Reuters