Ride the Lightning

Return to Office Policies for Google, Apple and Twitter Released

March 9, 2022

On March 4, CNET reported that Apple, Google and Twitter are preparing for employees to return to offices after almost two years of remote work during the pandemic. It is very likely that large law firms will follow in their footsteps.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said corporate employees will return to in-person work starting in April. People will be required to work from the office at least one day a week starting April 11 and at least three days a week by May 23.

“For many of you, I know that returning to the office represents a long-awaited milestone and a positive sign that we can engage more fully with the colleagues who play such an important role in our lives,” Cook reportedly said in a memo sent Friday. “For others, it may also be an unsettling change.”

Google will require most employees to come into the office three days a week as of April 4. Google employees who aren’t ready to return to the office on April 4 can apply for a remote work extension, or apply to switch locations, fully remote work or “work from anywhere” weeks.

Google last month said it would no longer mandate COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment for US workers, and would not require vaccinated workers to wear masks, get tested or socially distance while working in most offices.

Unvaccinated employees who are approved to enter offices will need to follow testing and mask-wearing regulations. Unvaccinated workers will otherwise not be able to access Google offices.

The notable exception, Twitter, has told its employees that when it reopens offices March 15, it will be up to workers where they work from.

“Wherever you feel most productive and creative is where you will work, and that includes working from home full time forever,” Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said in a letter to employees. “Office every day? That works too. Some days in office, some days from home? Of course.”

Microsoft offices reopened for in-person work on Feb. 28. In January, Meta delayed its plans until March 28 because of the omicron variant causing COVID cases to surge. Amazon also postponed while dropping its mask mandate for fully vaccinated workers a month ago, and Apple indefinitely delayed its deadline for returning to the office.

From our foxhole, law firms are bringing employees back, often for three days a week. There are a lot of firms steadfastly saying that being in the office, at least part of the time, is necessary to maintain law firm culture, to provide mentoring and to train employees.

At Sensei, we’ve been back since July of last year – and we are loving it.

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225, Fairfax, VA 22030
Email:   Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
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