Epic told its employees Aug. 12 that they will now be permitted to work from home through at least the end of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement emailed to Becker's Hospital Review.
The shift comes after the Verona, Wis.-based EHR giant received criticism from hundreds of its employees, who were told by email earlier this month that they would be required to return for in-person work starting Aug. 10 for some employees. Epic said it withdrew its plan for a phased-in return to campus after receiving a letter from Public Health Madison and Dane County on Aug. 8.
Epic will allow staff who want to return to campus to do so and will monitor the number and location of people on its campus and make adjustments if needed to accommodate social distancing. The company will also notify staff at least four weeks before they are asked to return to campus next year.
"This novel disease is challenging," Epic's statement reads. "Infectious disease experts told us that many companies, like ours, have had to adjust to changing information and developments about the virus and revise their plans multiple times. We appreciate constructive feedback from our staff. We look forward to a time when everyone can be together again in person."