Accounting firm Grant Thornton is trialling a nine-day fortnight for staff in New Zealand. 

The trial, which launched on January 1, will see staff working for nine days but paid for 10. 

It is believed to be a first for the professional services industry in New Zealand. 

“This is the gift of time,” said Russell Moore, national managing partner at Grant Thornton New Zealand. 

“Our people will benefit from the extra time to pursue hobbies, catch up on personal admin, or to simply decompress and recharge. 

“It also aligns with our progressive family workplace policies including flexible working and our industry-leading parental leave policy.” 

Moore said he expects the nine-day fortnight to refresh the firm’s people, improve their wellbeing, and attract and retain the best talent. 

“With so many of the professional services’ workforce reporting burnout and its associated physical and mental health issues, it’s time for meaningful change within the industry,” Moore said. 

“We want to deliver the best possible outcomes for our people and our clients; in today’s climate this requires listening to people’s needs and taking some bold steps.” 

In 2018, New Zealand-based businessman and founder of Perpetual Guardian Andrew Barnes made headlines when he introduced a four-day work week at the financial trust. 

That experiment would later become company policy.