Microsoft is giving its employees permanent 'work from home' option

Since March, Microsoft has been on a remote working mode with a vast majority of its employees handling their duties from home.

The policy was enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains in effect at least until January 2021.

But, with states reopening gradually, it is only a matter of time when the company would have to open its offices for workers.

To ensure employees' safety in this situation, Microsoft has internally announced the hybrid workspace policy, The Verge reported.

Under this, the company has said employees will be allowed to work from home freely for less than 50% of their working week or, as an alternative, they may opt for permanent remote work with the permission of their manager.

If an employee goes remote, they will have to give up their office space but will retain access to the touchdown space at Microsoft.

The company will pay home office expenses, but if the workers choose to move away from the office location, they will have to bear those costs on their own. Their compensation will change on the basis of Microsoft's geo-pay scale.

Employees transitioning to remote working will be allowed to relocate within their country or to another country (if their role allows) with the permission of their managers.

In addition to this, options for flexible working hours and part-time working - with the permission of managers - will also be provided to the Redmond giant's employees.

While many Microsoft employees will be able to take advantage of permanent or less than 50% work from home option, a select few will have to visit the company's offices regularly.

This group, as Microsoft explains, includes people handling roles that require regular access to hardware labs and data centers available in Microsoft's offices, and for in-person training.