Technology giant declares working from home as standard practice.

 

Fujitsu has announced that it will halve its office space in Japan as it adapts to the "new normal" of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The company said its ‘Work Life Shift’ programme will offer unprecedented flexibility to its 80,000 workers in the country.

 

Staff will be able to work flexible hours, and working from home will be standard wherever possible.

 

The announcement follows a similar move in May by social media platform Twitter.

 

Fujitsu said it "will introduce a new way of working that promises a more empowering, productive, and creative experience for employees that will boost innovation and deliver new value to its customers and society".

 

Under the plan employees will "begin to primarily work on a remote basis to achieve a working style that allows them to flexibly use their time according to the contents of their work, business roles, and lifestyle".

 

The company also said the programme would allow staff to choose where they worked, whether that was from home, a major corporate hub or a satellite office.

 

Social media firms adapt

 

In May, Twitter told staff that they could work from home "forever" if they wished, as the company looks towards the future after the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Last month Google and Facebook said their staff could work from home until the end of the year.