15 Companies Decided to Let Employees Continue to Telecommute

Six months ago, companies were forced to send their workers home to telecommute to limit physical contact and minimize the spread of COVID-19. While the adjustment was huge at first for both workers and companies, there have been many surprising results. Big tech companies found their workers’ productivity increased, prompting them to reconsider the benefits of remote working. The result is that at least 15 well-known companies have decided to let their employees telecommute permanently.

Why has teleworking worked?

Even with the settings of working from home, the benefits have outweighed the challenges. This is why.

• Working from home helps workers focus on their work. There are fewer meetings and less time-wasting co-workers.
• Because workers create their own hours, they are 50% more productive. Self motivation it’s a better catalyst than being told what to do.
• Work is valued more when you telecommute because you don’t need to perform unnecessary tasks.

Tech companies say that many jobs can be done via computer, so there is little need for workers to enter the office.

Which companies will allow their employees to telecommute?

With no end in sight to the global COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed a desire to continue working remotely from home. Many companies are listening to these requests by writing Work from home policy guidelines. Here is a list of companies that have decided to allow their employees to work from home permanently.

1. Microsoft

In a recent note sent to its employees, Microsoft outlined specific guidelines for home workers. These guidelines will allow more flexibility for workers to choose whether to work from home. Microsoft, located in Redmond, Washington, plans to reopen its office in January 2021. At this time, the new guidelines will go into effect. Microsoft was the first major company to allow employees to telecommute before the pandemic, so it’s not surprising that they lead the way with a specific remote work policy. Practically the guidelines affirm that.

• Employees can telecommute up to 50% of the workweek without a manager’s permission. They also have the option of working the entire workweek without permission from a manager.
• Those who choose to work full time from home can relocate to another part of the country if there is a Microsoft office there. The company will pay your home office costs if you choose remote work.
• If you wish, you can also move to another country, but your compensation package may change depending on the country where your employees are relocating. The business will use your geopayment scale to determine what you will be paid. Therefore, you will not be able to move to a country where the cost of living is low and receive compensation from the United States. Your relocation fees will be your responsibility whether you move to the US or abroad.

If necessary, employees can visit your office for personal training, access to specific hardware or data.

2. Google

At the end of July, Google announced the extension of its work from home policy for next year. Employees living in the San Francisco area will not need to come to the office until June 2021.

In his recent memo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai He said, “To give employees the ability to plan ahead, we will expand our option for global volunteer work from home until June 30, 2021, for roles that do not need to be in the office. I hope this gives you the flexibility you need to balance work with caring for yourself and your loved one for the next 12 months. “

3. Twitter

Twitter, also based in the San Francisco area, announced last May that its employees would be able to work from home permanently. In a strategic move, Twitter began deconstructing office use two years ago. Employees were allowed to relocate and work remotely. What began as an experiment turned out to be beneficial to Twitter employees.

“We have already been on this path, and the crisis simply catapulted us into a future state,” He said Jennifer Christie, Twitter’s head of human resources. “The future of work offers employees more options.”

Twitter’s forecast of allowing employees to telecommute two years ago seems serendipitous. Without a doubt, Twitter’s long-term work-from-home policy will appeal to talented employees who are looking for this kind of flexibility in their lives.

4. THE KING

REI, the outdoor retail store, just sold its 8-acre corporate office campus in Bellevue, Washington. Rather than having a main location, REI will now have a new headquarters on several satellite campuses. The sale of the headquarters provided funds to offset the decline in COVID sales that hit the retail company. Employees do not have commutes and have more flexible work hours. This shift to 100% remote work gives REI the ability to hire new workers outside of the Washington state area.

“We learned that collaboration doesn’t have to be tied to a single location,” He says Ben Steele, REI’s Director of Customer Service. “We learned that mobile work tools and technology are quite effective, and we learned that the benefits of flexibility for the individual employee are quite profound.”

5. Uber

Following the lead of other companies, Uber announced in August this year that it will allow its employees to work from home until June 2021. Uber offers its office employees a stipend of $ 500 for a home office. Employees can return to the office after this date if the pandemic has subsided.

6. Zillow

Zillow joins a growing list of companies that allow employees to remotely permanently. In the past, Zillow discouraged its employees from working from home, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the office. But the pandemic changed their mindset, as worker productivity levels remained high and their ability to serve the customer never diminished.

7. Reuters

Reuters is an international news organization owned by Thomas Reuters. The company currently employs 2,500 journalists and 500 photojournalists. As a result of the pandemic, they recently told their employees that they should work from home until January 2021.

• Less than one commute
• More productivity
• More motivation to work and stay focused
• A more balanced work and life
• More control over your schedule
• Psychological advantages
• Better focus
• Childcare when a child is sick is easier

Disadvantages of working from home

Studies show that telecommuting also has some disadvantages for employees and employers. These include

• Some companies overcame the challenges of monitoring whether employees are actually working
• The financial cost incurred from working at home.
• Communication problems can occur
• An employee’s home life can interfere with work life
• Fatigue and mental stress from home / work life
• Isolation, employees cannot talk to their co-workers in the same informal way

Final thoughts on the companies that decided to continue teleworking