Google tells employees to return to office 3 days a week or risk losing their jobs

Google has notified some of its remote employees that they will have to come into the office three days a week or risk losing their jobs, as per a report.

Google Implements Hybrid Work Policy for Remote Employees

Internal documents seen by CNBC revealed that workers in many departments, such as Google Technical Services and People Operations, were instructed to take up a hybrid work schedule or face consequences.

For remote Google Technical Services employees, the firm provided a one-time relocation cost in exchange for coming to work within 50 miles of an office. The remote working employees of this team were told that they should switch to a hybrid office schedule or take a voluntary exit package, reported CNBC.


While, human resources employees have been informed that they have to either accept the hybrid work schedule or their position will be terminated, as per the report.

The mandates are part of an increasing trend among large technology companies requiring workers to return to the office, rolling back on fully remote practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Fortune.

Sergey Brin's Push for Work From Office

The action comes as Google, like numerous peers in Silicon Valley, is firming up its policy on remote work. Sergey Brin, Google's co-founder, encouraged employees earlier this year to be at the office "at least" each weekday due to a dedication to innovation and teamwork, specifically in the company's efforts related to AI, as per Fortune. In February, he even hinted that “60 hours a week is the sweet spot of productivity," quoted Fortune.

Google Emphasizes the Importance of WFO

According to a Google spokesperson, "In-person collaboration is an important part of how we innovate and solve complex problems. To support this, some teams have asked remote employees that live near an office to return to in-person work three days a week," quoted Fortune.

FAQs

What is Google’s new policy for remote workers?
Google now requires some remote employees to come into the office three days a week or risk losing their jobs, as per CNBC.

Which departments are affected by this new policy?
Employees in Google Technical Services and People Operations are among those impacted.