Google tells East Coast employees to work from home over Canadian wildfire
Google has allowed its employees in New York City and other East Coast locations to work from home due to dangerous smoke from Canadian wildfires, despite recently announcing a fresh crackdown on workers who ignore its office attendance requirement. On Wednesday, local New York office leaders advised employees to work from home and limit their exposure to outdoor air, as data from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation showed unhealthy air quality levels. Google also closed outdoor terraces at its New York offices. Employees who are working on site were advised to remain indoors and avoid vigorous physical activity. The affected offices have filtration systems that maintain high-quality air inside. On the same day, Google HR boss Fiona Cicconi warned employees that an on-site attendance policy will be strictly enforced, with poor adherence potentially impacting individual performance reviews. Permanent remote work would only be approved by exception only going forward, she added. The memo about working from home was sent out to Google employees located at offices in various parts of the US and Canada that were affected by the wildfires. An air quality advisory remained in effect on Thursday.
FAQs:
What was the reason behind Google allowing East Coast-based employees to work from home?
Google allowed its employees to work from home due to dangerous smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting the air quality on the East Coast.
Will Google enforce an on-site attendance policy?
Yes. Google detailed that they will be enforcing an on-site attendance policy and that poor adherence can potentially impact individual performance reviews.
What is Google doing to protect workers on-site?
Google has ensured that its offices have filtration systems that maintain high-quality air inside.
What area’s employees were affected by this wildfire?
Google employees located at offices in various parts of the US and Canada that were affected by the wildfires were asked to work from home.
What other companies have faced pushback from employees due to strict office attendance policies?
Amazon has faced pushback from their workers over stricter return-to-office mandates.
Due to Canadian wildfire, Google instructs East Coast employees to work remotely from home
Google has allowed its New York City and East Coast employees to work from home in light of the dangerous Canadian wildfires and the subsequent hazardous smoke they have produced, despite a fresh crack-down on workers who ignore Google’s in-office policy. Local leaders confirmed that the Air Quality Health Advisories put forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reveal “unhealthy” air levels, and are advising employees to work from home, limit their exposure to outdoor air and avoid physical activity. The company has also closed its outdoor terraces to staff. Meanwhile, Google HR boss Fiona Cicconi previously warned of the strict enforcement of attendance policies, adding that poor adherence could affect an employee’s performance reviews.