More than 100 people who work for KPMG in the island are poised to begin a system of flexible working.

They have been consulted by their bosses and a plan is being worked out.

It comes after business media reported that the ’Big Four’ consultant has told its 16,000 staff in the UK that they can knock off early one day a week over summer as the firm embraces flexible working in the wake of Covid.

Employees in the UK are to be given two and a half hours off each week until the end of August to allow them to support their well-being.

Russell Kelly, managing partner at KPMG in the Isle of Man, and head of advisory at KPMG in the Crown Dependencies, said yesterday: ’It is great to see our colleagues in the UK embracing flexible working in the new reality that we are now living and working in.

’At KPMG in the Crown Dependencies, we are in a slightly different position having not experienced such extensive lockdowns nor do we have the issues of long commutes as in the UK. We have engaged with all staff across our three islands to design a hybrid working model that works in island jurisdictions.

’The pandemic has changed how and where we work and we intend to support a more flexible approach to working in the future.’

This is turning out to be a busy year for KPMG in the island.

Earlier this year Business News reported that the company in the island was involved in a merger with its former rivals in the Channel Islands.

Around 114 people work for KPMG in the island in Athol Street, Douglas, and we reported that the plan was to increase this number in the months ahead.

’This is a merger for growth and innovation is very positive for the Isle of Man’, said Simon Nicholas, a partner in the professional services company.

He said: ’At the moment we have 114 people in the Isle of Man as of today and we are budgeting to be up to 127 people pretty much by the end of the summer.’

In the UK it has been reported that KPMG staff will be allowed to take the extra time off during either the morning or afternoon, any day of the week.

radical

Meanwhile more than 150 people who work in the island for Equiom have been enjoying 100% flexible working this year. It also includes allowances for unlimited annual leave.

Bosses brought in the new policy to provide staff with a greater say in how they perform their roles and work at their most productive.

Sarah Gomersall, chief people officer for Equiom, told Business News yesterday: ’We introduced a 100% flexible working policy in January 2021 across the business giving staff a greater say in how they perform their roles and allowing them to work at their most productive.

’It may seem quite radical, but the truth is we don’t work in a nine to five culture anymore, so outdated policies no longer work for our people.

’The reaction has been extremely positive and staff are free to adapt their hours or opt for more days working from home.

’It’s all about providing staff with a working environment that not only enables them to operate at the highest level, but also gives them the flexibility they need to manage their lives day to day.

’We’re committed to establishing Equiom as an employer of choice within our industry.’