Google has announced it will allow more employees to work from home on a permanent basis as part of a new flexible approach to office work.
The company had previously told employees they would be expected in the office three days a week as part of what it termed a "hybrid" model, but CEO Sundar Pichai said in a memo sent to employees on Wednesday that Google will introduce more lenient policies.
These will include letting employees transfer office locations or work completely remote, though these will be granted based on employees' roles and team needs, according to the memo, which was obtained by Insider. Pichai said he expects 20% of Googlers will work remotely under the new system.
"Before the pandemic, we had thousands of people working in locations separate from their core teams. I fully expect those numbers to increase in the coming months as we develop more remote roles, including fully all-remote sub teams," wrote Pichai.
Employees will need to apply for remote work within their product areas, Pichai said, and it will be up to managers to decide whether to permit it.
For employees who choose to transfer location or work remotely, their compensation will be adjusted according to their location.
"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," Pichai added.
Google had previously told employees they could continue to work remote until September, after which point they would be expected in offices at least three days a week.
The decision that had frustrated some employees who wanted the option to work remote or transfer location, Insider previously reported.
As offices reopen, Google is rethinking what in-person work looks like. Last week, it revealed plans for post-pandemic offices, which include movable desks, "campfire" conference rooms, and inflatable walls, The New York Times reported.
