Europe is pivoting away from returning to the office as a fourth wave of Covid-19 sweeps through countries across the continent.
Just a few months after professionals started returning to the office, companies are being forced once again to allow them to work remotely.
For instance, Germany has agreed to impose mandatory remote working so long as there are no “operational reasons” to be in the workplace.
Belgium’s government also announced that employees need to work from home four days a week until mid-December.
Governments across Europe are implementing lockdowns to avoid economic turbulence, and working from home has become one of the key methods of limiting spread.
Some measures being taken apply strictly to unvaccinated individuals in an effort to boost vaccination rates.
Companies are also taking their own measures, such as Volkswagen. The largest automaker in Europe is adopting new rules that would see its German employees to work from home wherever possible.
The company is also offering access to its factories and offices for those who are vaccinated, have received routine testing, or have recently recovered from Covid-19.