Google tightens its “Work From Anywhere” policy as hybrid rules harden

Google is scaling back one of its most flexible remote-work benefits, tightening the parameters of its “Work From Anywhere” (WFA) policy that was first introduced during the pandemic. According to internal documents obtained by CNBC, even a single day of remote work under WFA will now count as a full week — a change that effectively reduces the number of days employees can spend working outside their primary location each year.

The WFA program was launched at the height of COVID-19 as part of Google’s effort to adapt to a distributed workforce. It allowed staff to work remotely from any location for up to four weeks per calendar year, giving them freedom to travel or spend time away from their designated office beyond the standard hybrid arrangement. Under Google’s ongoing hybrid model, most employees are expected to spend three days a week in the office and can work from home for two. WFA days, however, were originally designed to offer flexibility for those wishing to work from locations other than their homes or local offices.

The new rule marks a significant shift. Internal guidance now specifies that “whether you log one WFA day or five WFA days in a given standard work week, one WFA week will be deducted from your balance.” That means a single day of remote work will use up an entire week of entitlement — a move many employees say undermines the spirit of the program.

The document also imposes geographical restrictions, prohibiting employees from using WFA time to work out of a Google office in another state or country. The company cited “legal and financial implications of cross-border work,” suggesting that payroll, tax, and compliance complexities are driving the change. Employees who do work remotely from another time zone are expected to adhere to the business hours of that specific location, further narrowing the scope of the flexibility once offered.

The revised policy does not apply to every Google worker. Staff in certain roles — including those in data centers or other on-site functions — are already required to be physically present and remain excluded from WFA provisions. The company has also clarified that violating the policy could lead to disciplinary action or termination, underscoring its intent to enforce the rules strictly.

At a recent all-hands meeting, the update sparked confusion and frustration among employees. One of the most up-voted internal questions asked why a single day of remote work would count as a whole week and whether Google might reconsider allowing WFA days to overlap with home-based hybrid days. Addressing those concerns, John Casey, Google’s vice president of performance and rewards, told staff that the policy “was meant to meet Googlers where they were during the pandemic” and was “always intended to be taken in increments of a week.” Casey added that WFA was never designed to replace the company’s hybrid structure, but rather to offer short-term mobility to employees who wanted to work temporarily from another location.

The policy revision comes amid a broader recalibration of Google’s workplace model. Over the past year, the company has reinforced its return-to-office mandate, warning that employees who fail to comply with hybrid attendance requirements may face consequences. Google has also begun offering voluntary buyouts to some U.S. full-time employees and, in certain cases, has cautioned fully remote workers that their roles could be considered for layoffs if they refuse to transition to a hybrid schedule.

For a company that once symbolized Silicon Valley’s workplace flexibility, the tightening of WFA marks a notable reversal. While Google continues to emphasize the importance of balance and collaboration, the new policy suggests a growing emphasis on structure, accountability, and physical presence. For many employees, the message is clear: the era of truly working from anywhere at Google is drawing to a close.