Square Enix has announced major changes to its workplace policies to allow developers to work from home permanently, starting on December 1.

　　In a news release, the Final Fantasy publisher said it is adopting this new policy not only to help keep developers healthy during the COVID-19 crisis, but also to increase efficiency and morale.

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　　"Rather than utilizing work from home solely as a means of preventing infections during the current pandemic, the company will establish it as a permanent and core program among the working styles it accommodates," Square Enix said. "In so doing, the company hopes not only to create a flexible and diverse working environment, but also to further bolster productivity and help employees achieve the optimal work-life balance."

　　Square Enix also said this new permanent work-from-home option will allow the company to recruit from a more diverse talent pool, while it will also help the company create a structure for any other "expected developments," such as disasters, that might occur in the future.

　　"By adopting a new style of working for a new world, the company will enable employees to unleash even greater creativity as it continues to provide its customers around the world with content and services that fulfill their expectations," Square Enix said. "In so doing, the company will strive to further enhance its corporate value."

　　Employees will be designated as "home-based" (an average of at least three days per week from home) or "office-based" (an average of at least three days per week in the office). By default, all employees will be "home-based," though some people in certain positions may be "office-based" depending on the work they do.

　　Square Enix said it expects about 80% of employees to be working from home under the new structure in December, when the program kicks off.

　　Square Enix is not the first major technology company to offer a permanent work-from-home policy, following in the footsteps of Microsoft.