Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., wears a protective mask while attending the meeting with U.S. President Joe on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Biden, who is not listed.
Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Google is postponing its voluntary return to office on Jan. 10, CEO Sundar Pichai announced Tuesday.
The news marks Google’s third delay in the return of the office and comes when several technology companies, including Amazon, Facebook and Apple, are re-evaluating office plans amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the Covid virus -19.
Pichai said the extension will give workers more flexibility. Beyond January 10, the company will allow different countries and locations to decide when the voluntary conditions of working from home will end with at least 30 days ’notice. Google has continually adjusted its Covid-related workplace policies based on what government health experts from various geographies recommend.
“The road ahead may be a little longer and more rugged than we expected, however, I remain optimistic that we will cross it together,” Pichai said.
Last December, Google delayed its return to the offices on September 1, after which employees would have to work in person at least three days a week.
In July, Pichai announced a second delay, until Oct. 18, and said returning workers should be vaccinated.