Google wants its employees back in the office and has implemented stricter rules to the extent that it is now a crucial element of performance reviews.
Initially, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Google was among the first major tech firms to permit voluntary remote work. However, it is now shifting its stance and requiring employees to be physically present in company offices for at least three days a week, according to a report by CNBC.
According to reports, the tech giant’s Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, informed employees that remote work would now be considered an exception rather than the norm, overturning a pandemic policy that allowed numerous staff members to relocate away from company offices.
In April last year, Google had stated that employees would be required to be in the office for at least three days a week. Cicconi acknowledged that most employees had complied with this policy. However, she announced the implementation of a new policy that would factor in-office attendance into performance evaluations, with managers sending reminders to those who are consistently absent.
As a component of its revised hybrid work policy, Google is reportedly urging employees who were previously granted permission to work remotely to reconsider and adopt a hybrid work schedule that involves coming to the office. The goal is to foster stronger connections within the Google community. Consequently, those employees who had been approved for full-time remote work may find that their approval is revoked.
Reports have also revealed that Google will monitor employees’ compliance with the office attendance policy by periodically tracking their badge data. The company’s executives are also evaluating local regulations to expand the implementation of this policy in other countries. If employees fail to adhere to the policy for an extended period, the human resources department will initiate communication to discuss the appropriate “next steps.”
