Google Tightens Work From Anywhere Policy, One Remote Day Now Counts as Full Week

Google has updated its Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy, making it more restrictive for employees working outside their primary office location. Under the revised rules, even a single day of remote work away from an employee’s base office will now count as a full week toward the annual WFA allowance.
Originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the WFA program allowed staff to work from another city, state, or country for up to four weeks each year. The benefit was separate from Google’s hybrid work model, which permits employees to work from home two days per week.
The company notified employees of the changes earlier this month. The update clarifies that WFA days cannot be used to extend regular work-from-home schedules. The program is intended for temporary work in a different location, rather than additional flexibility at home.
New restrictions also specify that employees cannot use WFA near their primary office or from their own home. Staff working from another state or country must follow local business hours and comply with local tax and employment laws. Google cited legal and compliance reasons for the changes, warning that violations could result in disciplinary action, including termination.
The policy revision aligns with broader trends in the tech sector, as companies such as Microsoft and Amazon also scale back remote work flexibility and encourage more in-office attendance. Google has linked adherence to hybrid schedules with performance evaluations.
Despite the stricter rules, Google emphasized that WFA remains an optional benefit, subject to managerial approval and operational requirements. The annual limit of four weeks remains unchanged, though it will now be measured in week-long increments rather than individual days.
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