Some Google & Bing Employees Can Work From Home Due To The Coronavirus

Mar 3, 2020 - 7:20 am 1 by
Filed Under Search News

Coronavirus Google Bing

The Coronavirus is now spreading in the United States and there is the beginning of an outbreak not too far from the Microsoft office in Seattle. Two Google offices, one in Zurich and one in Dublin are impacted. The Zurich office had a case of an employee being confirmed with the virus. While some Google and Bing employees are being allowed to work from home, not all are.

Long time Google search engine engineer, Ryan Moulton, posted in a Hacker News thread his frustration with Google's lack of initiative here. He said "Really frustrated that my employer isn't doing this. I convinced my immediate manager to give everyone approval to WFH, but I cannot fathom why the whole company isn't. I don't know whether it's an issue of priorities, foresight, or capabilities." This is in a discussion around Stripe announcing that they are "encouraging - and, in some instances, mandating - employees to work from home." Stripe is also pausing all business travel and suspending visitors to Stripe offices.

Frederic Dubut from Microsoft Bing said he is telling all his co-workers to stay home and work from home:

8,000 Googlers in Dublin are working from home after a Googler in Zurich tested positive for COVID-19. But in Zurich, I suspect many are working at home but hard to tell. At least Gary Illyes and John Mueller and friends are making the best of it - they are based in Zurich:

Seems like Gary is home:

On Sunday, I did tell my employees they can work from home if they like - no questions asked.

Hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

Forum discussion at Twitter.

John also said he is not going to international events, he will video conference in instead:

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Google Core Update Rumbling, Manual Actions FAQs, Core Web Vitals Updates, AI, Bing, Ads & More - YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google Updates

Google Urges Patience As The March 2024 Core Update Continues To Rollout

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Official: Google Replaces Perspective Filter With Forums Filter

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Now Offers Additional Review After Appeal Is Denied

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

EU Searchers Complaining About Google Maps Features Changes Related To DMA

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Showing Fewer Sitelinks Within Search

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:11 am
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 15, 2024

Mar 15, 2024 - 4:00 pm
Previous Story: Yahoo! 25th Anniversary Party & Cake