Google restores Bay Area office perks, loosens vaccine mandate for remote workers

The company hasn’t determined a date for a mandatory return in any of its U.S. locations, a spokesperson said. The majority of employees will eventually be required to be in the office at least a few days a week, but some workers can apply to be fully remote.

The return of office amenities could help the tech company attract new hires in a competitive labor market and lure more workers back to the office. The company’s massive real estate holdings could also set a trend for smaller companies and have a major impact on local tax revenue. Google is the biggest office tenant in the Bay Area, occupying over 30 million square feet, according to real estate brokerage data.

CNBC first reported the policy changes.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve prioritized the health and safety of our workforce while providing greater choice and flexibility. We’re giving employees who welcome the chance to come into the office the option to do that wherever we safely can, while allowing those who aren’t ready to keep working from home. Based on current conditions in the Bay Area, we’re pleased that our employees who choose to come in now have the ability to access more on-site spaces and services to work and connect with colleagues,” a Google spokesperson said.

Separately, the company no longer requires vaccination as a condition of U.S. employment, after a judge blocked President Biden’s order requiring government contractors to mandate vaccines, which would have included Google. The policy change only affects workers who are fully remote, since vaccines are still required for all office workers.