In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have opted for the option to work remotely for an indefinite period. Earlier in May, Twitter Inc became the first major technology company to allow its employees to work remotely due to the prevailing conditions.
Now, Amazon Inc has extended the timeline for employees to work from home for some more time. But, it has come with conditions which state that if an employee's work can be done from home they can continue to do so until June 30, 2021.
"Employees who work in a role that can effectively be done from home are welcome to do so until June 30, 2021", an Amazon spokeswoman said in an emailed statement on Tuesday, adding the guidance is applicable globally.
Earlier, this option was made available globally until January.
However, this development has come less than three weeks after the world's giant online retailer revealed that more than 19,000 of its US frontline workers have fallen prey to the contagious disease this year.
Notably, a few employees of Amazon along with elected officials and unions in last few months have said that Amazon put employees' health at risk by keeping warehouses open amid the pandemic.
"We have invested significant funds and resources to keep those who choose to come to the office safe through physical distancing, deep cleaning, temperature checks, and by providing face coverings and hand sanitizer," the Amazon spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Microsoft Corp is also among other tech giants which has extended the option to work remotely for up to half their weekly working hours. Facebook Inc had also said that its employees can work from home till July next year. Google employees who do not need to be in the can avail work from home option till June.