Microsoft’s New Remote Work Policy: Embracing Flexibility | The Official Microsoft Blog

As the pandemic continues, many HR leaders find themselves creating guidelines and policies for remote work and flexible work arrangements. Earlier this month, Microsoft EVP and Chief People Officer, Kathleen Hogan, provided guidance to its employees via the attached memo, stating: “moving forward, it is our goal to offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual work styles, while balancing business needs and ensuring we live our culture.” The company clarified that flexibility encompasses three components. 1) Worksite (the physical space where you work, e.g., office, center, home, mobile): 2) Work hours (the hours and days when employees work, e.g., workday start and end times, full- or part-time) and 3) Work location (the geographic location where you work, e.g., city and country). Other reports I have read suggest that Microsoft will allow most of its employees to work from home indefinitely. Employees who choose to work remotely permanently won’t have assigned office spaces but will have access to flexible “touchdown space” at Microsoft’s offices. Also, most employees will be allowed to work from home regularly, as long as that time doesn’t exceed half of their workweek. CHROs can use the attached memo as a reference for crafting their guidance to their workforce.