Two Bay Area tech giants are preparing to reopen their offices for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facebook confirmed on Friday that it will begin bringing employees back to Menlo Park headquarters with 10% capacity from May 10. Fremont offices are scheduled to open on May 17, Sunnyvale on May 24 and San Francisco on June 7.
Uber told the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday that it will open its new headquarters in Mission Bay on Monday with 20% capacity.
This news comes as COVID infection rates are decreasing across the bay area and public health departments are easing restrictions. Santa Clara and San Francisco counties are in the orange layer in California’s reopening plan and nonessential offices may reopen with security measures in place, although remote work is encouraged. San Francisco County limits office capacity to 25%.
Facebook said in a statement that the safety of its employees and the surrounding communities is its top priority.
“When we return to the office, we have a series of security protocols in place, including physical distance and masks required at all times in the office and, whenever possible, weekly testing requirements for anyone working on the premises,” said the door. Facebook speaker, Chloe Meyere. . “We will continue to work with experts to ensure that our plans to return to the office prioritize the health and safety of everyone.”
Facebook will not initially offer some of the benefits to employees available before the pandemic, including food in its cafeterias and cafes and shuttle service.
“At this point, employees will be responsible for their own transportation and meals and we will not provide employees with the facilities or amenities normally offered in our offices,” said Meyere. “We hope to be able to resume normal office operations at a later stage.”
Facebook employees have the option of working from home until at least July 2, and thereafter, the company will gradually bring more employees back as health data continues to improve.
While Facebook and Uber are making the leap to bring employees back to the office, some technology companies, including Reddit and Twitter, said they will give employees the option of working remotely indefinitely.
Uber did not immediately respond to the comment for this story.