Microsoft to Allow Employees to Permanently Work From Home

Microsoft has announced that it will allow its employees to work from home even after the pandemic has passed.

Microsoft released a memo stating that employees can work from home for less than 50% of their work week, and managers can approve permanent remote work if requested.

Employees who can work entirely off-site have the approvable option to relocate, even internationally. Taking this option will require the employee to give up their office space, but Microsoft will cover all home office expenses.

The company as of now has the majority of its workforce working from home, and does not plan to open its office until January 2021 at the earliest.

The memo states that “most” of the 150,000 employees working at Microsoft would be able to take advantage of these remote opportunities, but some roles will require access to company offices, such as roles requiring workers to use Microsoft’s hardware labs and data centers.

Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s chief people officer, said “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think, live, and work in new ways. We will offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual workstyles, while balancing business needs, and ensuring we live our culture.”