Would you let your staff have unlimited paid time off? This Portsmouth solicitor says it's a good idea

Letting your staff have time off, as and when they need it, without limits, may seem like a mad idea to many business owners. Here Alison Lee from Biscoes Solicitors, which has 125 staff over seven local offices, talks about the scheme that it has brought in.
Alison Lee of BiscoesAlison Lee of Biscoes
Alison Lee of Biscoes

Alison said: '˜We have been based in and around Portsmouth since 1864. The current board of directors have realised the long term success of the firm rests with its staff and engaging them in the firm's mission to provide the best quality legal services to both individuals and business in the area.

As part of a programme of new ideas implemented over the last few years, the firm will be introducing a new holiday policy from January 2019.

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The new self-managed paid time off policy will allow staff to book holiday in advance as and when they feel they need a break, without limits of set numbers of days! A mad scheme?

Schemes like this have been used by big corporate companies like Virgin for many years.

Our staff like to know that we are prioritising their welfare and '˜family time' but there is a balance to be struck between that and the firm continuing to offer our clients a high quality, consistent service.

We are such a good team that we have no doubts that the scheme will be embraced by our people in a positive way for their own well-being and work life balance and actually enhance their commitment to quality services we deliver.

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Biscoes directors have already introduced a firm-wide bonus scheme, enhanced pension, a '˜perks' system which offers high street discounts, a healthcare scheme and other similar benefits.

Businesses that do not value and reward their staff are missing a trick as happier, appreciated and rewarded staff are more productive and engaged in the business and the proof of the pudding is in the business performance.

We have seen a 40 per cent increase in our turnover in the last two financial years since embracing this approach with our employees. 

We are clear that our offering for new employees will continue to be added to until they are without doubt the employment destination of choice for the best in the legal employment market.

Only by having the happiest and most engaged staff will we have the best firm. We are sure this scheme will be a success for our business and clients too.