An Amazon spokesperson said that the company would extend until mid-2021 the remote work setup of those employees that can effectively do their jobs at home.

Amazon joins the growing list of companies that extended their work-from-home scheme to their employees, or at least for those who can. A spokesperson for the e-commerce giant said on Tuesday, October 20, that their staff with jobs that can be done at home may continue to do so until June next year.

Work From Home

According to a statement, Amazon said: “We continue to prioritize the health of our employees and follow local government guidance.”

"Employees with work that can effectively be done from home can continue to do that work from home through June 30, 2021," an Amazon spokesperson said https://t.co/7RuMkBTvtI

— CNN Business (@CNNBusiness) October 22, 2020

Particularly, it would scope corporate roles with jobs that “can effectively be done from home.”

It is not the first time Amazon has prolonged its remote work arrangement for its employees. Previously, it extended the setup until January 8, Business Insider reports.

Work From Site

But there are still employees who need to report to work in person. Amazon requires its frontline workers to go to work, except for certain conditions. It includes the following: testing positive for COVID-19, when exhibiting symptoms of the virus, and when mandated to isolate.

And Amazon has reportedly received complaints on how they handle their frontline staff amid the health crisis. The company has also gained allegations of letting employees work in unsafe conditions.

However, the company spokesperson said that Amazon had spent “significant funds” to ensure that those who need to come to the office are safe. The firm’s efforts include maintaining physical distances, thorough sanitation, regular checking of temperatures, and providing face coverings and hand sanitizers.

More Remote Work Setups

More companies are extending their remote work arrangement to their employees. Google’s owner, Alphabet, said last July that it wants to give flexibility to their workers, extending the work-from-home scheme until next year. Other firms that also announced an extension of remote work include Twitter, which contemplated making the arrangement indefinite. Microsoft also said it intends to adopt a “hybrid workplace,” which will let staff work from home half of the time, even after the pandemic.

The post Amazon to Extend Work From Home Scheme for Some Employees Until June 2021 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Rob Sterling

Google employees can now work from home until the summer of 2021, the company announced Monday. The company had said its workers could work from home until the end of the year, with some coming back to work before then. COVID-19 has disrupted businesses worldwide. Companies are now allowing remote work until the pandemic ends. 

Google Employees And a Year of Remote Work

CNN Business had obtained an internal memo from Google. CEO Sundar Pichai said the company is allowing employees to work from home if they wanted. Only workers with non-office roles can choose to work remotely. According to the memo, they can work from home until June 30, 2021. Pichai noted that Google expects its workers to balance work and taking care of themselves and their loved ones, during the year of remote work.

Pichai also announced that Google has “reopened 42 offices around the world.” 

Google Helps Employees Working from Home

Google is also allowing its employees to avail of mental health and wellness resources while working from home. Wellness teams of 10 members help out all of Google’s employees around the world. Google’s Blue Dot Program has also branched out online, where workers can discuss their mental health through Google Meet video calls. The program also operates during virtual office hours.

Moreover, the company offers employees virtual training and classes. Employees also receive an allowance of $1,000 to buy the equipment they need for their home offices.  

Are Other Tech Companies Also Following Google’s Example?

Social media giants Twitter and Facebook have also allowed their employees to work from home during COVID-19. They also said they are allowing remote work indefinitely. 

The post Google Lets Employees Work From Home Until Summer 2021 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins