Ernst & Young wants to break 'attendance culture'

Big Four accountancy firm Ernst & Young is piloting a scheme that allows staff to choose how much holiday leave they want each year to "break the attendance culture in the workplace".

The accountancy firm is trying out the scheme, which offers staff more flexible working hours, in a drive to attract the best new talent and retain their workforce, the Sun has reported.

The scheme offers employees the option of working from home and working nine-day fortnights.

Managing partner, Mike Cullen, said: "We are running a series of pilots across the country in different offices to explore the possibilities around a more flexible approach to work.

"This includes the idea of potentially allowing staff to decide how much holiday they would take in a year.

"Above all, we want to break the 'attendance culture' in the workplace," he added.

Recent research by the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW) revealed that accountants place high value on training and career progression, with a quarter turning down a job opportunity because they believe the position does not offer a clear career path.