Google warns pandemic could hinder its ability to ‘maintain corporate culture’ in 2021

Google warns pandemic could hinder its ability to ‘maintain corporate culture’ in 2021

As Google prepares to return workers to offices in 2021, it is warning it may take a productivity and financial hit in the process, according to the company's annual 10-K report.

The company, known for its competitive, perks-fueled culture, employs 135,301 full-time workers and an equally large contingent workforce through third-party contracting firms.

"As we prepare to return our workforce in more locations back to the office in 2021, we may experience increased costs as we prepare our facilities for a safe return to work environment and experiment with hybrid work models, in addition to potential effects on our ability to compete effectively and maintain our corporate culture," the company states.

Google, which first ordered employees to work from home in March 2020, has been working on "hybrid" work models that include rearranging offices and figuring out more long-term remote work options, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in September. In December, CNBC reported that Pichai sent an email to employees extending their work-from-home period to September 1, 2021 but it was contingent on employees working from physical offices at least three days a week and living within commuting distance from assigned offices. That was stricter than the remote work options offered by companies