International companies rethinking their return to work policies following a rise in Covid-19 cases.

With the rise in Covid-19 cases and the predominant Delta variant, over nine million Americans are hesitant to return to work. Companies like Google and Apple who have been resolute on employees returning to work have now delayed their reopening policies due to the rise in Delta cases. As quickly as a return to office plans were in full effect, they were delayed just as fast.

According to a Forbes report, hybrid work has now become the new normal and according to a study done by Microsoft Study, 73% of workers want their employers to continue providing the flexibility remote work offers.

“With the delta variant spread …Leaders need to know that despite concerns, the least of their worries should be their employees’ productivity: If an employee was highly productive at the office, they would be highly productive at home and likewise for an employee who slacks off.”

Some employers have gone as far as using bonuses and enticing reassurances to encourage staff back out to work. More and more companies are signing bonuses in addition to benefits like support with childcare, on-the-job training, and opportunities for up-skilling. For example, Wal-Mart plans to cover the costs of college tuition and books for some of its workers.