Management consulting services company PwC has announced that its UK staff will be able to clock off for the week at lunchtime on Fridays all this summer.
The step comes as British firms find themselves locked in an arms race for talent amid widespread staff shortages.
PwC – which has more than 1,000 staff at its three Scottish offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow - said the condensed working week will come into operation from the start of next month to the end of August.
A summer working hours system was piloted by the firm in July and August last year as part of its hybrid working policy.
Kevin Ellis, chairman and senior partner at PwC UK, said: "We knew summer working hours would be popular with our people, but the positive impact on wellbeing surpassed expectations.
"Not everyone could take every Friday, but they benefited from less e-mail traffic when they did and a chance to switch off properly.
"We've had another exceptionally-busy year and, as we approach the summer-holiday period, we hope our policy gives people more time for themselves, their friends and their families."
The Telegraph says the move by PwC comes as employers across the country scramble to beat the “Great Resignation” by offering staff better working hours, improved pay or once-unheard-of benefits.
According to Ipsos, over half of 16 to 34-year-olds considered quitting their jobs or were actively looking at the start of this year.
City of London firms have focused on extra time off and a better work-life balance. Traditional professions such as accounting and banking were on the back foot even before the pandemic, as big tech companies began offering better lifestyle perks and inflated salaries. Now they are hoping to lure back young graduates with more flexible working patterns.
It emerged last month that Scotland's legal sector is facing an "intense" battle to hold on to young talent, with London firms reportedly offering starting salaries of up to £125,000.
Firms north of the border are struggling to hire new solicitors, according to the Law Society of Scotland, with many moving to the UK capital, where a similar shortage means that they can earn up to three times more than the salaries being offered in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Some are even able to work remotely from Scottish cities on the inflated salaries following a shift in working practices due to the pandemic.
FTSE 100
The UK's top share index, the FTSE 100 was up five points at 7,499 shortly after opening this morning, following yesterday's 67-point fall.
Brent crude futures were ahead 0.35% at $110.50 a barrel.
Companies reporting today
- Half-year results: Virgin Money UK
- First-quarter results: AB InBev, Endeavour Mining, Shell
- Trading statements: BAE Systems, Barratt Developments, Domino’s Pizza, Hiscox, Mondi, Next, Rathbone Brothers