American Express Co. began reopening offices in New York this month, even as it told employees they can continue working from home until June 2021 if they want to.
The card company said it has reopened offices in 30 locations, mostly in Asia and Europe, after seeing infection rates remain consistently low. This month, the firm began reopening facilities in New York, with about 10% of workers opting to return in the initial phase.
“We have decided to extend our temporary work-from-home policy until June 30, 2021,” CEO Stephen Squeri said in a memo to workers. “This updated policy covers all colleagues around the world who can effectively perform their duties at home and choose not to return to the office once it reopens, until the new deadline of June 2021.”
AmEx joins other large New York employers, such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to devise plans this month to start bringing in more workers. While many seek to help boost the local economy, some have seen plans thwarted by employees’ fear of public transportation or childcare needs.
“We are taking this step to offer colleagues more flexibility in balancing work and family obligations, particularly as many of you must plan for an uncertain academic year that may involve remote learning or having elderly relatives to care for,” Squeri wrote. “Also, many of you rely on public transportation to get to work and may not feel comfortable using public transportation at the moment.”
Squeri said he, along with his colleagues on the executive committee, will continue to approve all requests for sites to begin allowing workers to return.
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