Accenture | Flex Friendly Employer

Accenture

Industry:

Management Consulting, Technology Services & Outsourcing

Description:

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 177,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Accenture's work/life offerings are wide-ranging from day-to-day workplace flexibility and workforce readiness offerings to a variety of programs, such as Future Leave and Voluntary Service Overseas that focus on taking time off to care for self or others. Strengthening and maintaining a workplace where Work/Life and Wellness continue to be core pillars of driving our business strategy and the success of employees is a priority. Accenture creates a culture that acknowledges professional, personal, and family responsibilities -- where employees can succeed using work/life resources, options and flexibility in managing these commitments.

Company Employees' Flex Options:

Accenture Future Leave Program

To meet employees’ needs to establish and maintain work/life balance – and for those who want extra time away from work to do something important to them – Accenture offers a range of flexible work options, which are individualized according to an employee’s specific needs.

Future Leave is a “time away” program that provides employees with a short-term break from work so they can spend time on their personal priorities.

Future Leave is a self-funded sabbatical that offers advantages over a traditional leave of absence. For example, Future Leave offers employees security through continued healthcare and other insurance coverage at standard employee premium rates during the leave. Accenture continues to make premium payments toward the benefits, and the employees continue to pay their portion of the benefit costs.
Participation in the Future Leave program does not affect an employee’s long-term career potential, and, in fact, it provides the assurance that participants can return to work after the leave. They keep their laptops and can retain access to Accenture tools during their leave.

Employees have the option of budgeting for Future Leave by setting up a separate direct deposit account. That is, they can contribute a portion of their salary to a specific fund now, which then allows them to take leave down the road.

The program is open to employees through senior manager levels who are in good standing with at least three years of continuous employment service. With Future Leave, employees can take one to three months off, and can combine it with other leave programs such as paid time off, for a maximum of four months away from work. Future Leave can be taken once every three years.

Although most people use the program to address short-term work/life balance challenges, Accenture may grant leave for any reason that does not present a conflict of interest with ongoing Accenture employment. Employees often share information about their plans for the time away – child or elder care, helping with a family business or volunteering abroad – but they are not obligated to give a reason for the leave request.

Headquarters:

Accenture has offices in 52 countries

Website:

www.accenture.com

Flex-Success Story:

Future Leave Profiles Jeremy Began’s Story “Although I loved my job at Accenture, I knew that D-Day was approaching – the day when I’d have to make a decision about leaving the company to help save my family’s business. When I received the e-mail announcing the Future Leave pilot program, I thought, ‘If that’s not a sign, then what is?’” 32-year old Jeremy Began has spent a decade – his entire working career – based in Accenture’s Cleveland office. He’s now a senior manager in the Management Consulting-Supply Chain practice. After college, he could have worked for his family’s printing business, but he said, “I had an interest in traveling and in working with Fortune 500 companies. I wanted to make my own mark on the world and I’ve done that at Accenture.” Last year, he began to consider quitting the job he loves when his family’s business faced a series of major crises. “It was up to me to step in or else the company might have to close.” When Jeremy learned of Accenture’s Future Leave pilot program in April 2007, he found a life-line. For four months, he devoted himself to the printing business, addressed its problems and thereby saved the jobs of its 60 workers. “Things are now back on track,” said Jeremy. “The business is profitable. Sales are increasing.” A relieved Jeremy plunged back into his work at Accenture. “Going away to help my family cleared my mind,” he said. “I’d been distracted before, but now I feel re-invigorated. I am now 100 percent dedicated to Accenture and our clients.”