Amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, has announced an indefinite work-from-home policy for employees.
The 43-year-old CEO revealed on Tuesday that all in-person events would be canceled, with the company transitioning to a permanent work-from-home structure in response to the pandemic.
Employees will receive a $1,000 allowance to equip themselves with necessary remote work tools, and the office is unlikely to reopen before September, according to Mr. Dorsey.
Twitter stated, “We were one of the first companies to transition to a work-from-home model in response to COVID-19 and do not anticipate being among the first to return to offices.”
The company also affirmed that if employees are able and willing to continue working from home “forever,” the company will accommodate their preference.
“If not, our offices will be open with additional precautions once we deem it safe to return,” the statement further added.
Twitter also announced that, with few exceptions, offices will not reopen before September. Furthermore, any future reopening will be cautious, gradual, and office-specific. The company has also suspended all business travel and in-person events for the rest of 2020.
The company emphasized, “Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our employees and communities as we navigate the uncertainties of the upcoming months.”
Head of Human Resources at Twitter, Jennifer Christie, told BuzzFeed News, “The workplace will likely never be the same,” noting the significant shift towards remote work during the initial months of the pandemic.
She added, “Individuals who were initially hesitant about remote work will realize its benefits, and managers who doubted their ability to oversee remote teams will have a different perspective,” expressing her belief that the company’s work dynamic has permanently evolved.