Microsoft follows Google in requiring staff to be vaccinated for office return

Vendor has also pushed back the date for its United States offices reopening

Microsoft has said that it will require employees returning to its US offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which follows Google's similar announcement last week.

The tech giant has also pushed back the date for its offices reopening in the US to at least October in a move which closely aligns with that of both Apple and Google.

"As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we continue to closely track new developments and adapt our plans as this situation evolves, keeping employee health and safety top of mind," Microsoft said in a statement.

"Based on our continued consultation with health and data experts, our earliest date for the full opening of our US worksites will be no earlier than 4 October, 2021.

"Starting in September, we'll also require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors, and any guests entering Microsoft buildings in the US, and will have an accommodation process in place for employees."

Responding to a request for comment from CRN as to whether UK offices would fall under the same restrictions, Microsoft said: "We continue to review the situation on a local basis in each region/country/state where we work and will adjust dates and other policies as needed.

"Our UK offices are currently open with some restrictions. The current status and stage of each worksite varies depending on health conditions, public health guidelines and other important local factors."

Exemptions to the policy will include those with a medical condition or religious reason, while The Verge reports that staff who are caregivers to immunosuppressed people or are parents with children too young to get the vaccine will be able to work from home until January.

Last year, the vendor said it envisaged working from home part of the time, but less than 50 per cent, as "now standard" for "most roles".