Twitter Says Employees Who Can Work From Home May Do So 'Forever'

The social media giant, which employs 5,000 people, closed its offices amid the coronavirus pandemic back in early March, and now many staff will be given the option to never return again - except to maybe collect their pens.

The company's CEO Jack Dorsey informed staff of the new policy via email today (Tuesday 12 May).

"If not, our offices will be their warm and welcoming selves, with some additional precautions, when we feel it's safe to return. Opening offices will be our decision, when and if our employees come back, will be theirs."

Hey, always nice to have the choice - particularly if you're an antisocial b*****d, let alone someone who works for one of the biggest social media platforms in the world and also has a justifiable concern about the practicalities of travelling during a pandemic.

The spokesperson added: "With very few exceptions, offices won't open before September. When we do decide to open offices, it also won't be a snap back to the way it was before. It will be careful, intentional, office by office and gradual.

"There will also be no business travel before September, with very few exceptions, and no in-person company events for the rest of 2020. We will assess 2021 events later this year."

While allowing employees to work from home forever may seem like somewhat of a drastic step, Dorsey has previously indicated a preference for a 'distributed' workforce. Indeed, when the order was first issued to work from home, Twitter human resources head Jennifer Christie said the company would 'never probably be the same' in its working structure.

"I do think we won't go back."

Dorsey also announced in his email that the company had upped its allowance for work-from-home supplies for staff to $1,000 (£815).

Many of us are understandably worried about commuting to the office when lockdown finally lifts. Beyond that, however, if you like social media, but aren't sociable, and have expensive taste in office home stationery, then maybe you should consider applying for a role at Twitter.