Farnell Clarke to launch six-hour working days and unlimited holiday

Farnell Clarke

Accountancy firm Farnell Clarke is to introduce a new six-hour working day and an unlimited holiday policy, effective from 1 February 2019.

The working day initiative, which focuses on output rather than length of time, also empowers the firm’s 38 staff to work when, where and how they want in order to give them complete flexibility.

The scheme was first considered in October 2016, when Farnell Clarke conducted a staff survey to  poll employees’ opinions on working a six-hour day.

Amy Patterson, office and marketing manager, said: “This change has been two years in the making, so it’s not something we’ve taken on lightly, but we’re really excited to offer this to our team. We are confident that we have the right people, processes and technology in place to make this a success for both our staff and clients.”

The new benefits have been introduced as part of the firm’s talent attraction and retention strategy, which centres around developing a modern workplace that will appeal to younger generations.

Furthermore, the organisation hopes that the changes will help improve employees’ work-life balance, to enable staff to be more productive and efficient when they are at work.

Patterson added: “With millennials making up over 50% of our workforce, and a further 17% of the team belonging to generation Z, we’re keen to further develop our attractive modern workplace for today’s generation. Our aim, as always, is to continue to attract the best staff and, of course, retain our fantastic team.

“Staff will of course be expected to continue to provide an exceptional level of service to their clients, but we’ll be focusing on our teams’ output of work rather than the input of time. We believe that the client experience will be further improved by having healthier and happier staff, who can work to their clients’ needs without being restricted by normal office hours.

“This change will give our staff the work-life balance they need to be more productive and efficient when their mind and body are in work mode.”