Deloitte and KPMG to introduce remote working from overseas for Aussies

People have been trapped inside the country for almost two years but with the Great Resignation looming, companies are introducing this wild perk.

Aussie staff at major accounting firms Deloitte and KMPG will be able be able to spend weeks overseas while still working remotely for the companies.

Deloitte sent an email to its 3000 Australian staff on Tuesday outlining the new work perk, which would allow them to take a trip overseas and work remotely including in destinations like Britain, Singapore and India.

It will allow them to extend overseas holidays by working remotely for an additional three and eight weeks.

It comes as The Great Resignation is expected to hit companies hard from March, particularly as more than three-quarters of Australia’s largest accounting firms are already experiencing trouble recruiting and retaining staff.

Aussies are itching to head overseas and companies are pulling out the stops to keep them in their job. Picture: iStock

Deloitte Australia CEO, Adam Powick, said with the reopening of the borders the firm has had a lot of feedback from their team about their desire to travel overseas for extended visits to reconnect with family.

“This initiative provides our people with the option to spend more time on the ground overseas connecting with family and friends and recognises a real pent up demand for this form of connection given our international borders have been closed for almost two years,” he told news.com.au.

However, Mr Powick admitted introducing the policy was complex.

“Navigating working visa and taxation considerations at a country by country level can be complex as every jurisdiction is different,” he said.

But that’s not the only perks that Deloitte is introducing with Mr Powick revealing they are also giving staff the choice to work remotely from any domestic Australian travel destination and extend their time if it makes sense from a personal perspective.

“In addition have introduced the concept of Summer Fridays for the month of January to give everyone the opportunity to log off at 3pm on Fridays and start the weekend early,” he said.

Adam Powick, Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Australia Picture: Lucas Dawson

KPMG have also introduced a new flexible working policy which will allow employees to “work anywhere” to help them reconnect with family and friends after border closures.

Staff will be able to take on average six weeks or 30 consecutive workdays under the policy.

The latest round of workplace benefits come as Aussie company’s scramble to attract staff in a fiercely competitive market.

Earlier this month, financial technology company, Iress, announced its employees would be able to take six extra long weekends every year, with no impact on their current annual leave balance or pay.

Online marketplace Envato has introduced a nine-day fortnight for the rest of 2021 for its 600 global team members, while employees will also receive monthly contributions to make working from home more seamless.

Holidays and work will start to blur. Picture: iStock

Tech companies are particularly notable for their perks.

Fintech company Finder announced that from December its crew would be given five extra days paid leave for life’s big events on top of its annual and sick leave entitlements. It can be used from anything from heartbreak leave if someone is going through a tough break up, as paw-ternity (pet) leave or to be there for their kid’s first day of school.

The $56 billion Aussie design company Canva introduced a vibe and thrive allowance for all workers, which can be spent on everything from gym memberships, home office set ups, social celebrations, wellbeing and education. It even offers 400 social clubs with Zoom yoga, cooking classes, magic shows and trivia.