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These changes will result in a workforce where around 60% of Googlers are coming together in the office a few days a week, another 20% are working in new office locations, and 20% are working from home, per CEO Sundar Pichai.
In exciting news for the tech sector, Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, has shared the company's plans in bringing employees back to the office.
TL;DR: Google's hybrid work approach entails the following:
A more flexible work week: Most Googlers will spend approximately three days in the office and two days wherever they work best. The purpose of in-office time will be collaboration, thus the days team come together in the office will be dependent on their product areas and functions. There will also be roles that may need to be on site more than three days a week due to the nature of the work.
More locations globally to work from: By mid-June, Google will roll-out a process by which employees can apply to move to another office. In granting approvals, they’ll take into account whether business goals can be met in the new location and whether the team has the right infrastructure in the site to support your work.
Remote work: Employees can apply for completely remote work (away from their team or office), based on their role and team needs, and within their product area or function. As with location transfers, the team leads will evaluate whether remote work can support the team & business goals. Compensation will be adjusted according to the new location, whether employees choose to transfer to a different office or opt for completely remote work.
- Work-from-anywhere weeks: Googlers will be able to temporarily work from a location other than their main office for up to four weeks per year (with manager approval). The goal here is to give everyone more flexibility around summer and holiday travel.
- Focus time: Product areas and functions will offer focus hours so that internal meetings are limited during times when people need to be heads-down on projects.
Reset days: Google will continue granting extra 'reset' days to help employees recharge during the pandemic in 2021. The next global day-off will be on Friday, May 28 (or the following work day if a location is already not working on the 28th).
Taken together these changes will result in a workforce where around 60% of Googlers are coming together in the office a few days a week, another 20% are working in new office locations, and 20% are working from home, per Pichai's email to all staff, shared on Google's blog. He also noted that in areas where the company has been able to reopen Google offices in a voluntary capacity, nearly 60% of Googlers are choosing to come back to the office.
These workplace plans are driven by Google's Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS) team, which is currently testing new multi-purpose offices and private workspaces, and working with teams to develop advanced video technology that creates greater equity between employees in the office and those joining virtually. "All of these efforts will help us work with greater flexibility and choice once we’re able to return to our offices globally," he explained.
He concluded: "The future of work is flexibility. The changes above are a starting point to help us do our very best work and have fun doing it."
Photo / Google
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