DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday knowledgeable staff that it’ll delay return-to-work plans till early subsequent yr amid the continued rise of the coronavirus delta variant.

The automaker stated that non-site-dependent staff in most world markets, together with Canada, can stay residence till January 2022. It had beforehand stated these staff may return in October.

Ford has delayed its plans a number of occasions for the reason that pandemic started final yr, though some groups have returned to places of work and design studios a minimum of on a part-time foundation.

When non-site-dependent staff do return, they will have the prospect to undertake a brand new hybrid work mannequin, which Ford outlined this yr, that might permit them to enter places of work solely when obligatory. Ford stated it was redesigning its workplace area to raised accommodate this new manner of working, with an emphasis on extra collaborative areas and crew areas.

“The character of the work or mission will information preparations that staff and their folks leaders resolve on in collaboration,” Ford stated in a press release. “For instance, a crew might resolve to return into the workplace two occasions per week for a mission that wants face-to-face collaboration, whereas working distant the opposite days, or there could also be a dash the place staff are wanted on-site for one full week, then earn a living from home the remainder of the month. Approaching-site shall be for the aim of collaborative work.”

The corporate on Wednesday additionally knowledgeable staff of a brand new association the place it’s going to permit non-site-dependent staff to work for as much as 30 days per yr from an alternate location inside their nation of employment. That will permit staff with a trip residence or who have been visiting household out-of-state to proceed working with no expectation to be on-site at a Ford facility.

Whereas there was technically nothing stopping staff from doing this previously, a Ford spokesman stated the corporate felt it was vital to make it an official coverage.