Google recommends all North America employees work from home (businessinsider.com)

Article summary

Google is recommending that all of its North American employees work from home until at least April 10 due to the coronavirus outbreak. This policy change affects tens of thousands of employees and is one of the most sweeping remote-work orders of any company in response to the outbreak. Google's offices will remain open for employees who cannot perform their roles remotely. The company has also taken other measures, such as compensating hourly contract workers and creating a fund to pay sick leave for contract workers or vendors who cannot come into work.

Main themes

• remote work
• coronavirus outbreak
• company policies
• job security
• essential services
• work-life balance

What commenters say

• Some companies, like Microsoft and Google, are recommending or requiring employees to work from home, while others, like Walmart, cannot shut down due to their essential services.
• The pandemic may lead to a greater appreciation for the importance of jobs that require personal presence, such as those in production, logistics, and care.
• Working from home can have benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and decreased risk of spreading diseases, but it is not possible for all occupations.
• The coronavirus outbreak is forcing some companies to reconsider their policies on working from home, which may lead to long-term changes in the way people work.
• Some people believe that the benefits of working from home, such as increased flexibility and reduced commuting time, outweigh the costs, while others argue that the risks and challenges associated with remote work are too great.
• The pandemic is highlighting the differences in job security and benefits between different types of workers, with some employees being more vulnerable to disruption and economic hardship.
• The shift to remote work may lead to a reevaluation of the value and compensation of different types of jobs, with some arguing that essential workers deserve more recognition and rewards.