Top Tech Companies Better Strategizing Employee Health During Coronavirus

Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread rapidly around the world with cases reported by almost every country. To curb this, different countries at different levels are taking essential measures to contain the virus. Many of them have even imposed nationwide lockdown restricting single social activity. According to McKinsey, some countries appear to be at the peak of infection and are urgently building surge capacity in their health systems. In other parts of the world, the number of cases is rising rapidly. Countries such as Russia and Turkey are seeing a recent acceleration. India too has experienced a significant increase in the number of cases since the beginning of April and has evolved its response strategy, including extending the nationwide lockdown.

In addition, various companies have come up with significant strategies to ensure their employees' health while maintaining financial stability. Let's have a glimpse of how top tech companies are better strategizing the health of their employees amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Big tech companies including Facebook, Google, and its parent company Alphabet, Twitter, Amazon are asking more employees to work from home due to the increase in pandemic cases. More so, Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Amazon have enforced remote working policies for many or all of their employees across the globe. Alphabet has suggested its employees in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East work remotely.

Google Director Konstantinos Papamiltiadis describes the initiatives taken by the company as a 'tough call to make'. He further added, "We need to prioritize the health and safety of our developer partners, employees, and everyone who helps put F8 on." Google is also canceling on-site job interviews and adapting video chats interview sessions to avoid any direct human contact.

Furthermore, social media giant Twitter has made working from home mandatory for all workers globally while it is in talks with its San Francisco staffers after an employee from that office developed symptoms consistent with coronavirus. Even though the company is fully aware of the situation where some of its employees may not be able to fulfill all prescribed duties while working from home, Twitter assured that they will continue to get their payments as in current time travel restrictions are in effect.

Microsoft as well has asked its Seattle-based employees to work from home. The company, meanwhile, continues to monitor the situation as per the guidance of the WHO (World Health Organization).

Reportedly, one of the big five IT companies placed in the Hinjewadi IT hub of Pune, India, is extending its concerns to its employees working from home through the mails. It is informing them about coronavirus spread in various countries and gives specific areas and cases registered to them. To ensure the good health of its employees the IT company is also discouraging the travel of employees and regularly monitoring travel advisories from all countries.

Additionally, US-based Workday has announced a cash bonus worth two weeks' pay for its employees to help them deal with "unforeseen costs and needs" due to the outbreak. The company has also announced a relief fund for employees who may need additional support going ahead. Among other perks, the company has expanded its childcare benefits from 10 to 15 days to help source and pay for back-up child care. It also expanded paid sick leave policy for employees diagnosed with COVID-19.

Companies are trying out various novel measures to tackle the global health crisis that has severely impacted operations. Recently, Shopify announced that it would give its employees a US$1,000 stipend to furnish their home-offices. Gig economy biggies like Uber and Lyft said they would compensate contract drivers impacted by the virus.