Return to Office-Austin's Bigs Reveal Plans

Austin Business Journal March 15, 2022 |TECHNOLOGY| “When will tech giants return to their Austin offices? Some already have, others in coming weeks” “Apple picks Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays as its in-office days”

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Around Austin-When will big firms have workers return to office?

Follow the leader. Smaller businesses-seeking to emulate the giant’s workforce management and businesses that serve the neighborhoods around the tech giants are eager to understand when and how these large facilities will return workers to office. Retailers and restaurants want to be ready for the rush by stocking up and staffing appropriately. Experts suggest that about “54% of Austin metro offices” are active but most understand that the model has permanently shifted and don’t expect all workers to return from having worked from home (WFH).

How are the bigs having staff return to office?

Dell

As of March 7 Dell has opened offices for those “‘who need or want to work on site’”

Apple

As of April 11 Apple “expects its office employees to return to working [in-office] … at least once a week…[and eventually]...”ramping up to three days a week-Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on May 23.”

Amazon

Amazon's approach is that one size/plan does not fit all workplaces and that decisions will be made at the director-level. Apparently, though, Amazon's “Domain” site will soon take on new workers.

IBM

Effective March 1 IBM has revealed that “fully vaccinated employees” can return to office if they want.

Google

Starting April 4 the message from Alphabet is “that most office employees [in the Puget Sound area] will be on a three in-the-office and two WFH-schedule.

Meta

Plans to fully open offices March 28 but is currently at 50% capacity. “The company will still have a hybrid approach with flexibility and choice for employees.” Staff “had until March 14 to make their return-to-office” (RTO) selection with options including FT-RTO, a request for FT-WFH, or to extend WFH temporarily “if they don’t feel ready” to RTO.

National Instruments Corp

Effective March 1, offices are reopened and the firm is “embracing hybrid work” allowing leaders to determine what’s needed or best for their individual teams.

Q2

All offices are reopened with the company to offer “a flexible work plan.” Leaders are “excited to welcome teams back…[and will be] celebrating for the next few months with things like food truck visits and catered lunches.”