American technology organisation Google is giving 118,000 global employees a $1,000 (£812) or local currency equivalent allowance to cover the cost of any equipment they need to work from home.
The organisation is taking steps to reopen some of its offices, however, it estimates that approximately 70% of its employees will be working remotely for the rest of the year, and wants to ensure all employees are equipped to work in a safe and comfortable environment.
Google is planning to update employees via a series of forums with details of the new office plan and the steps it is putting into place to ensure they can safely return to an office environment. Employees will also have the opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns they may have.
Sundar Pichai, chief executive at Google and Alphabet, said: “We continue to study all the data and feedback [STAFF] Are sharing on their current experience. I believe that ultimately these insights will lead to more flexibility and choice for employees as they consider how to work in the future.
“We’ll share more specifics on the return to office plan and answer questions on this topic at upcoming forums.”