(Image source from: consumeraffairs.com)

Most of the Microsoft employees are working from home and the company will not open its US offices till January next year.

Software giant Microsoft has decided recently that it would allow employees to work from home if they choose to.

The news was informed by the US media on Friday.

With this, Microsoft becomes the latest company to expand its work from home option prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the Microsoft employees are still at home considering the drag of the pandemic to date.

When the company reopens in January next year, employees can choose to work from their residences permanently and in such case they have to give up their office space.

Microsoft's Chief People Officer, Kathleen Hogan said that the pandemic has transformed the way people think and introducing new normals as an aftermath of COVID-19 across the world.

Kathleen also added that the company will offer much more flexibility to support individual lifestyles and workstyles thereby balancing the business needs and ensuring the work culture.

In a statement to the AFP, Microsoft spokesperson did not speak about making the working from home option permanent but said that the company's goal is to evolve the way the employees work with intention guided by employee input and the company's commitment.

According to the verge report, the employees who wish to work from home permanently must take permission from the managers to work remotely on a permanent basis and can spend less than 50 percent of the week outside the outside without any approval.

However, some of the employees won't be eligible for work from home arrangement for those employees who work in Microsoft labs or who train other employees.

In its statement, the company mentioned that it would be possible for the employees to relocate across the United States or even overseas.

Those who relocate may face changes in their salaries according to the places they shift to.

The company will cover the expenses the employees need to set up their home offices but will not afford for the overseas or relocation arrangements.

As seen by the end of June, Microsoft employed 163,000 people and of them 96,000 belong to the United States.

Some major firms across the world have already given the option for the employees to work from home on a permanent basis including the companies like Facebook, and Twitter.

By Gayatri Yellayi