After two years of shutting down and experiencing many delays to the 2021 opening schedule, Microsoft is finally planning to fully reopen the office in Washington state where the headquarters is based this February 28.
Microsoft's decision is based on already high vaccination rates and a reduction in hospitalizations and deaths from the COVID-19 virus.
"King County's high vaccination rates as well as decreased hospitalizations and deaths in the state are "part of what has allowed us to move to this stage of our hybrid work journey," said Chris Capossela, Microsoft Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in a post. Microsoft's official blog.
However, Microsoft will not set comprehensive requirements for its employees to return to the office. Instead, employees will be given 30 days from the February 28 entry date to make adjustments to their routine and adopt the work preferences they have agreed with their supervisor.
In addition to Washington, the company's Bay Area office in California will also fully reopen on February 28.
"We anticipate many of our other US locations will follow suit if conditions permit," said Capossela.
In recent weeks, other technology companies have also adjusted their plans for opening offices. As Meta is scheduled to reopen its offices on March 28 and employees must get a COVID-19 booster shot to return to the office.
Then Apple employees must also submit evidence of a COVID-19 booster vaccine or provide a negative COVID-19 antigen test to enter the workplace.
While Google said in December that it would wait until sometime this year to make plans to return to the new office.