Google has relaxed some of its COVID-19 measures and protocols related to vaccination, testing and social distancing for its US employees.
In a mail written to San Francisco Bay Area employees, David Radcliffe, VP, Google Real Estate and Workplace Services said that the Company has decided to relax some of the testing and vaccination policies introduced during the pandemic. Now Google does not require vaccination for employment in the company for US workers.
In January, Google said that every employee had to go through regular testing, even the vaccinated ones. However, now this rule has been relaxed. Furthermore, some of the social-distancing norms such as wearing a mask at the workplace are also relaxed for the US employees. Employees working in cities where the caseload is high may still require to wear masks, but this protocol may soon be lifted.
Some of the workplace perks will also return with this reversal in policy. Certain fun areas and informal gathering places at the workplace will now be open for use.
Fitness centres, massage rooms, breakfast and lunch areas, lounges, game rooms, music rooms and massage chairs will now be available for use. Full shuttle service will also resume for US employees, reveals Radcliffe’s mail.
Unvaccinated employees at Google will, however, still be required to follow social distancing and regular testing protocols.
The mail also states that the Company will start its 30-day transition to a hybrid workplace model, where employees are required to come to the office for three days in a week. Google has still not decided on a date to resume offices for employees.
