Coronavirus Update: Amazon Recommends All Global Employees To Work From Home If They Can

KEY POINTS

Amazon tells all global employees to opt for work from home if they can
In the light of ongoing coronavirus concern, Amazon has issued this new guidance
The work-from-home policy will be applicable until the end of March.

Amazon has issued new guidance recommending all its employees to work from home if their job allows them. The new recommendation comes in the light of the prevailing coronavirus pandemic. Working from home has become a new norm for several companies to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

“We continue to work closely with public and private medical experts to ensure we are taking the right precautions as the situation continues to evolve,” an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement via email.

The spokesperson has also revealed that this policy is being implemented until the end of March. “As a result, we are now recommending that all of our employees globally who are able to work from home do so through the end of March.”

The tech giant has taken this decision after coronavirus continues to spread across the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses, big or small.

On Wednesday, Amazon gave extra time off with pay for employees tested positive with coronavirus. The company also established a $25 million relief fund.

In an official blog post, Amazon detailed the support it is offering to the employees and contractors. All Amazon employees diagnosed with coronavirus or placed into quarantine will be eligible to up to two-week of pay. “This is in addition to unlimited unpaid time off for all hourly employees through the end of March, which we shared with employees last week.”

The company is starting the Amazon Relief Fund with an initial contribution of $25 million. This is focused on the delivery service partners and their drivers, season workers and Amazon Flex participants. These groups can apply for the grant equal to up to two weeks of the remuneration if diagnosed with coronavirus or asked to remain in quarantine by Amazon or the government.

Due to coronavirus, at least 4,700 people have lost their lives. The latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirm at least 125,288 confirmed coronavirus cases across the world.