Twitter asks 5,000 global employees to work from home

Twitter has asked its employees to work from home while other tech giants like Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies instructed staff to avoid non-essential travel as IT firms put in place measures to safeguard workers against the deadly coronavirus.

Twitter gave employees an option to work from home after the coronavirus outbreak claimed over 3,000 lives globally, and fresh cases being reported in India.

“We are strongly encouraging all employees globally to work from home if they’re able. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us — and the world around us,” Twitter said in a blog.

In a series of tweets, Jennifer Christie, who leads the people team at Twitter, said, “Today, we shared additional guidance, strongly encouraging all Twitter employees globally to work from home if they’re able. Our goal is to minimise contact with others and contain any potential risk, protecting everyone’s health and safety.”

The Indian information technology industry, which gets a significant chunk of its revenues from exports, is also focussing on ensuring the safety of employees.

A TCS spokesperson said the company is working closely with all the relevant global, regional and local health institutions and are implementing the latest recommendations given to the company.