Earlier this month Google and Facebook announced that their staff were permitted to work from home until the end of the year. Twitter has now taken a step further by providing that its staff can work from home "forever" if they want to.
Twitter has also said that alternatively, individuals can return to the office when it opens, which means that 4,000 individuals across its global offices now have a choice.
Is this, as has been described an "era defining moment"?
For some, social interaction with colleagues is an important part of working life and an essential ingredient in maintaining a sense of “team “. There is also the question of training and development of staff and whether this can effectively be achieved in a remote capacity?
Ultimately, it will depend on the outlook and strengths of each individual and the ability of the business to play to those strengths.
We are certainly at a point where employers have been forced to embrace home working due to COVID-19. Employers should take time to reflect on the positives from this experience as well as the negatives, and consider how arrangements for home working could be improved in the new “normal”.
Engagement with staff will be a key step. Some of the various factors to consider before returning to work are set out in our recent COVID-19 updates.
Our Employment team are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
