Microsoft indefinitely delays office return

Microsoft announced Thursday that it is indefinitely delaying its full return to the office amid uncertainty with COVID-19.

The company had previously set Oct. 4 as the earliest date for total reopening but is now telling employees that it will not establish a set return.

Instead, offices in the U.S. will open when able to do so safely based on public safety guidance. Employees will be notified 30 days before their local worksites will reopen.

“[T]he evolving Delta variant is compelling many of us to adjust plans for reopening worksites,” Jared Spataro, a corporate vice president, wrote in a blog post. “It’s a stark reminder that this is the new normal. Our ability to come together will ebb and flow.”

The company last month announced that proof of vaccination will be required for all employees returning to offices. 

Microsoft is one of the first major tech companies to not set a return date amid the surge in cases driven by the delta variant of the coronavirus. Google, Facebook and Apple have all recently pushed their office returns to January.