The COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world in an unprecedented manner leading to extraordinary decisions by major organisations. In a first, Twitter, the San Francisco based microblogging and social networking service, has decided to permit its employees to work from home even after the end of the COVID-19 lockdown.
New York, United States: The COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world in an unprecedented manner leading to extraordinary decisions by major organisations. In a first, Twitter, the San Francisco based microblogging and social networking service, has decided to permit its employees to work from home even after the end of the COVID-19 lockdown.
They proclaimed that they were among the first to move to telework in March due to the health crisis. Further they have decided to continue with the policy of WFH 'forever' as part of a move towards a 'distributed workforce'. On Tuesday, Twitter said that the reopening of its offices is unlikely before September, and that 'work from home' will become a permanent work model even after the lockdown comes to an end.
A Twitter spokesperson said, "We were uniquely positioned to respond quickly and allow folks to work from home given our emphasis on decentralization and supporting a distributed workforce capable of working from anywhere. The past few months have proven we can make that work. So, if our employees are in a role and situation that enables them to work from home and they want to continue to do so forever, we will make that happen."
Taking about the reopening of offices, Twitter said, "any reopening of offices will be 'careful, intentional, office by office and gradual', when conditions permit. Opening offices will be our decision, when and if our employees come back, will be theirs," the spokesperson said.
"With very few exceptions, offices won't open before September. When we do decide to open offices, it also won't be a snap back to the way it was before." While Google and Facebook are said to be considering continuing telework through the end of the year for most employees, Twitter has been the first to announce its decision to do so.