According to Bloomberg -- Microsoft Corp., the company is changing its vacation policy to give US workers unlimited time off, matching a system already in place at its LinkedIn unit.
The changes start January 16 and apply only to full-time employees in the US, according to a company spokeswoman. The company has been considering changing its working schedule for a number of years in order to adapt to more flexible working schedules.
This kind of policy, in place at companies like Netflix Inc. and for senior bankers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., can prove challenging when managers set expectations that favor little or no time off. The company believes that Microsoft can make sure workers get adequate vacation time and that they consider the possible flaws in such a system.
The plan requires less work to administer and the employees who quit or are fired don't have to be compensated for accrued time, which can be a boon for employers. Microsoft will make a one-time payout for workers with accrued time in April.