Tech can’t quit remote work: Microsoft edition

Last week, Microsoft rolled out a hybrid remote work policy, meaning a large portion of its 150k employees may be able to WFH in perpetuity.

Microsoft is the latest in a long line of WFH warriors

Other leading companies that have extended their remote work policies in the face of COVID-19 include Indeed, Google, American Express, Airbnb, and Twitter.

Chris Herd — the CEO of remote work startup Firstbase HQ — interviewed ~1k firms over the past 6 months on their WFH plans. The results are eye-opening:

• ~30% said they plan to cut commercial offices completely
• Cost savings are significant ($20k/employee in the office vs. $2k/employee WFH)

Microsoft is drawing product inspiration from the new reality…

… and has taken some big swings on remote features for Teams and Outlook:

• An integration with Headspace for mental health
• Protect Time allows you to block off time for deep work
• A dashboard that managers can use to see which employees may be at risk of burnout

Finally — as a microcosm for how insane 2020 is — Microsoft is rolling out a virtual solution for what could literally kill you in Before Times: commuting.

Microsoft’s “virtual commute” feature is meant to create work-life boundaries the same way that physical commutes used to. #2020