Ashtons Legal Solicitors are early adopters of flexible paid time off approach

Posted 12/02/2015

As part of its quest to become legal employer of choice in the region, Ashtons Legal has followed the likes of Netflix and Virgin and introduced a new, much more flexible, approach to paid time off. This sees the traditional annual leave policy being replaced by a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy which allows all salaried employees to take holiday reflecting their own needs and those of the business rather than being constrained by a set number of days per year.

Paid Time Off policies (PTOs) have been around for sometime, but this is believed to be the first such policy in the East Anglian professional services community. Netflix have operated a PTO for at least five years, their ideology being that they should focus on what people get done, not how many hours or days are worked. Their two stipulations are that employee’s managers know where they are and that their work is covered. Netflix believe these stipulations are key to ensuring proper control is in place and there is no abuse of the policy.

Ashtons Legal has decided to enter into a trial period for a Paid Time Off scheme during which all staff will be able to provide feedback as to whether or not the firm should adopt the policy on a permanent basis. In addition to providing more flexibility in relation to holidays, the new approach also encompasses compassionate leave for bereavement and study leave for those enhancing their professional skills.

The Ashtons Legal PTO trial will run for the duration of 2015 with associated staff consultation closing at the end of October. At this point, the management team will assess its suitability for the firm on a permanent basis.

Ashtons Legal CEO, Edward O’Rourke, said: “We firmly believe that law firms wishing to thrive in the future need to be innovative, both in the way they attract and retain legal talent and in the way in which they meet clients’ legal needs. We are continually looking at ways to reward and motivate our staff and feel that allowing people as much paid time off as they need is in everyone’s best interests. Our focus needs to move towards overall productivity, client satisfaction and results rather than the number of holiday days taken.”