Source: Android Central
What you need to know
- Google this week shared more of its reopening plans with its employees after a year of work from home.
- Some offices in the U.S. will be able to reopen in April, with employees attending on a voluntary basis.
- Google will not be mandating vaccine adoption, though employees are advised to get it if possible.
Google this week shared its reopening plans to employees as the company prepares for a post-pandemic world. The company is planning a smaller scale return-to-office scheme. With large swathes of the U.S. being vaccinated against COVID-19, it's now hoping to see some employees return to the office in April.
In a memo seen by Axios, Fionna Cicconi, SVP and Google's chief people officer, said:
In the United States, the situation is also mixed and we must continue to stay vigilant to prevent a new wave of the virus. We are also seeing some hopeful improvements in parts of the country. I'm happy to say that over the next month, it is likely we'll begin to welcome Googlers back to some of our U.S. offices on a voluntary basis.
According to CNBC, Google's broader plans with regards to reopening offices remain the same. Employees will be able to return to work en masse in September as announced last December, but the company will not do away with remote work. Some employees will be able to participate in a hybrid work model, with three days in the office, and two days at home.
Google will not be adopting a permanent work-from-home model, and documents spotted by CNBC indicate that employees would need to apply if they wanted to work remotely for periods ranging from 14 days to a year at most. It is also likely that employees who choose to work remotely or have moved away from Google's more expensive locations may see a salary adjustment to reflect their lowered costs of living.
Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?
Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
The iOttie Aivo Connect is a surprisingly useful mobile Alexa platform
Unless you have a fancy ride with a built-in phone charger, you probably need a good car phone mount or docking solution. One that can charge your phone wirelessly? Even better. One that you can use to control your phone hands-free via Amazon's Alexa? Even better-er! That's what the iOttie Aivo Connect promises, but does it deliver?
Every game with touch controls on Xbox Game Pass (xCloud) for Android
Microsoft is offering over 150 games through cloud streaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. While all can be played with controllers, only a handful right now support touch controls.
The first renders of the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE reveal a familiar design
The Galaxy S21 FE is expected to receive an early launch this year, and the first renders show a design that's not too far off from Samsung's current flagships.
Pump up the volume on your Galaxy S21 with these wireless earbuds
If you're looking for the best wireless earbuds for your Galaxy S21, we have you covered. From budget options that start off at just $30 to high-end wireless earbuds that set a new standard for the industry, we've rounded up the best wireless earbuds for the Galaxy S21.