Microsoft is becoming a member of the refrain of tech firms pushing their workplace reopenings to late 2021 because the COVID-19 pandemic doubtlessly winds down. The Verge has confirmed a Enterprise Insider report that Microsoft has delayed its full reopening from July to not less than September seventh. The transfer is a response to “continued session with well being and knowledge consultants,” a spokesperson mentioned.
In an e-mail to workers, government VP Kurt DelBene mentioned the delay gave “extra flexibility” for workers planning for the summer season. He added that native workplace managers additionally had the liberty to institute additional delays if the scenario of their space made it too dangerous to return.
The tech pioneer is presently in a “tender open” part the place a restricted variety of staff can return to in-person work. About 20 p.c of world Microsoft staff have been again within the workplace as of March, together with at its Redmond and Seattle workplaces.
The delay acknowledges uncertainty across the pandemic. Whereas vaccinations are ramping up rapidly and will make it safer for individuals to work on the workplace, it is not clear if sufficient individuals can be protected by July — and the rise of faster-spreading virus variants complicates issues. Because it stands, Microsoft has already mentioned it would let most individuals work at home for as much as half of the week. There’s merely much less strain to reopen than up to now.
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