Microsoft to return to US offices from end of February

COVID-19 has continued to scupper employers’ attempts to return to the office over the past 18 months.

Like most big tech employers, Microsoft delayed its office reopening in September because of the COVID-19 resurge, particularly in Seattle where the tech giant is headquartered.

But now Microsoft has announced it will be calling its employees back to the office from 28 February.

Its Seattle and Washington State sites will lead the way because this region has seen a very high vaccination rate. However, Microsoft is also reopening its offices in the Bay Area of California. 72.5% of the Washington State’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19; this rises to 73.9% for California.

In a blog post, chief marketing officer Chris Capossela wrote that from 28 February, “employees will have 30 days to make adjustments to their routines and adopt the working preferences they’ve agreed upon with their managers”.

Microsoft is hopeful it will be able to open up offices in other US states “in the coming weeks”. The decision will be based on vaccination rates and declining COVID-19 deaths.

Capossela added that the employer will “ensure that established local testing solutions are in place and that we’re aligned to all government guidance for businesses like ours”.

Hybrid working at Microsoft

Microsoft is fully on board with hybrid working. It has allowed its employees to “determine how they work best” and aligning this with the wider team’s needs.

“We believe flexibility should be at the forefront of our evolving hybrid workplace”, according to Capossela’s blog post.

While Microsoft is clearly keen to get employees back in the office at least part of the week, Capossela noted that the company will continue to “take a data-driven approach to decision making that follows the guidance of public health authorities”. It will therefore adjust its approach and office return in response to the COVID-19 situation.

“We’ve learned a lot about working remotely in the last two years and we’re fortunate to have the tools to continue doing so if needed.”

Are tech employees going to finally return to the office and start working hybridly in the US?