Microsoft Pushes Back Return to Offices to September

Microsoft has had a change of heart after previously announcing that it would open its offices to employees by July. Now it’s looking at September as a more reasonable timeframe.

“We believe this date will afford additional flexibility for employees to make summer plans, and we’ll continue to keep you updated if the date moves out [again],” Microsoft executive vice president Kurt DelBene told employees in an email that was viewed by Business Insider.

Microsoft is currently at stage 4 in its schedule for employees returning to the company’s offices, or what’s called a “soft open.” There are two more to come: Stage 5, “Open with restrictions,” and Stage 6, “Open.” The change from a July to September date is for Stage 6.

Microsoft told employees that it would continue to “monitor conditions” related to COVID-19 and adjust the schedule again as necessary.