Brazilian state-owned oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4.SA) announced Friday that it will begin a phased return from home office to on-site work for its white-collar workers between July and August.

Petrobras, the name of the company, told Reuters that the process will continue in October with up to 20% office occupancy and start with senior executives.

For remote office workers, who total more than 20,000, the return is expected to begin on October 1. Workers at production sites and platforms continued to work on site.

Home office due to the coronavirus pandemic began in April last year under the leadership of former managing director Roberto Castello Branco, who worked from home.

His successor, retired General Joaquim Silva e Luna, has worked in the office since taking office in April and has encouraged others to do so, according to company sources familiar with the situation.

“The return will be hybrid, alternating between in-person and remote days. The physical spaces and common areas have been adapted appropriately,” said Petrobras.

Castello Branco, whose tenure was not extended this year after President Jair Bolsonaro criticized Petrobras’ fuel pricing policy, has favored telecommuting, saying it could lower costs for the company.

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