With Google's new decision, employees will continue working from home, at least until July 2021, as it stated on Monday.
The company had previously said in a statement that most of its employees would work remotely until the end of 2020, while planning for some employees to return to offices earlier.
However, the decision to extend its remote work policy until next year shows that one of the world 's largest technology companies is prepared for a long-term pandemic . With this move, Google could push other companies to follow the same policy and further limit the spread of COVID-19 .
CNN Business has obtained a copy of a memo the company sent to employees, in which Google CEO Sundar Pichaitells employees that the company has reopened 42 offices around the world.
"To give employees the ability to have a plan in place early, we will extend global voluntary remote work through June 30, 2021, for employees in roles that do not require them to come into the office," Pichai wrote.
"I hope remote work will provide the flexibility you need to balance work with taking care of yourself and your loved ones over the next 12 months," says the Google CEO.
The tech industry has led the way in remote work during the COVID-19 crisis, with more and more companies like Twitter and Facebook saying they plan to allow some employees to continue working remotely indefinitely.
Depending on how much the pandemic continues to rage, it's reasonable to expect that even the largest tech will reconsider their approach to remote work, as Google is doing.
