A taxing approach to lambing season
Our people are making use of empowered flexibility - a key part of the Deal we offer - in a variety of ways. However, using it to look after a flock of sheep during lambing season was one of the more unique examples this year…
Setting the scene
Henry Scott joined PwC as a higher apprentice in our Bristol office in September 2019. Originally from Somerset, he grew up in the agricultural industry and has kept up his passion for farming while working in our Deals Tax team, breeding his own flock of 30 pedigree Kerry Hill sheep.
Lambing season traditionally falls in spring and with working from home having been the default during lockdowns, Henry had been able to manage his different commitments.
As we moved to hybrid working, with our people splitting their time between the office, client sites and home, Henry had to think a little differently about how to juggle things in spring 2022.
How we helped
As lambing season approached back in March, Henry was working on a secondment based in our London Embankment Place office, spending time away from home most weeks - something that was not going to easily align with the hands-on nature of lambing the flock.
Our empowered flexibility approach recognises that each of us has a unique set of circumstances and priorities. Through open conversations and two-way flexibility, we trust our people to build effective working patterns that don’t necessarily align to the ‘standard’ week.
Henry decided to explore the option of working flexibly for a couple of weeks by speaking to one of the senior managers in his project team. They discussed how he could alter his working pattern for that period, in a way that could work for him, the team and the client.
“This experience really emphasised the value of the Deal - it empowered me to confidently have an open conversation about finding an alternative working pattern for a period that could work both ways.”
Making a difference
Supported by project leadership, Henry worked remotely for two weeks and flexed his day around the sheep. During this time, Henry was able to fulfil his project work and successfully deliver 15 new lambs.
We all have busy schedules and work commitments, but we also recognise that our people have a life outside of PwC - empowered flexibility helps us navigate this.
Henry’s story is an example of how it can work in practice and highlights the importance of giving our people more freedom to work in a way that works better for them, but that still meets the needs of our teams, the wider firm and our clients.
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