Accenture Asks Employees To Skip August Vacation, Lets Staff Carry Unused Leave Into New Financial Year

Accenture is allowing employees to carry unused vacation days into the next financial year in a one-time change, easing the usual end-of-year pressure to use remaining leave. The move comes as the consulting giant prepares to close its 2026 financial year on August 31, with employees being urged to focus on winning new business and increasing revenue before the deadline.

The new financial year begins on September 1. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the policy is partly intended to keep more employees available during the crucial final weeks of the financial year, while also giving staff greater flexibility over when they take their remaining leave. Accenture Asks Employees To Push Sales Through August, Relaxes Leave Rules Amid Investor Pressure.

Why Accenture Is Changing Its Leave Policy

Under the one-time arrangement, employees do not have to rush to use vacation days before the end of August. Unused leave can instead be carried into the new financial year.

For employees, the change provides additional flexibility. However, the timing comes as Accenture places greater emphasis on business generation ahead of its financial-year close. Julie Sweet Promotion Requirement: Accenture CEO Mandates AI Proficiency for Employee Promotions.

CEO Julie Sweet has been urging employees to focus on winning new business and generating more revenue before the year ends. In an internal memo seen by Bloomberg, Sweet wrote, “Our shareholders are counting on us to deliver a strong quarter in Q4 - everyone can contribute.”

Accenture Under Pressure Ahead Of Q4

The push comes after a difficult third quarter for the company. Accenture's new bookings fell 2 per cent in the quarter ended May 31. Its revenue forecast for the August quarter was also below the average analyst estimate.

The company's shares fell sharply following the results, although they have since recovered part of those losses. The final quarter therefore carries added importance as Accenture seeks to demonstrate stronger business momentum.

AI Concerns Add To Business Pressure

Accenture is also facing investor questions over the longer-term impact of artificial intelligence on its traditional consulting and technology businesses.

Investors are assessing whether AI could eventually reduce demand for some conventional services. The company's performance in the final quarter could therefore offer an important indication of how it is navigating changing demand and technology trends.

Infosys Faces A Different Working-Hours Issue

The Accenture development comes alongside a separate workplace compliance issue involving Infosys in France.

Infosys was recently fined €175,000, or roughly INR 2 crore, by French labour authorities after its system for recording employee working hours was found not to fully meet local requirements. The penalty was imposed by DRIEETS le-de-France, the regional labour authority.

What Was The Infosys Issue?

The issue was not simply about how many hours Infosys employees were working. French authorities raised concerns over whether the company's system could reliably record, maintain and monitor working-time information for certain categories of employees.

French labour rules include requirements concerning the 35-hour working week, overtime and mandatory rest periods. Employers are expected to maintain reliable and auditable working-time records.

Infosys disclosed the penalty in a stock exchange filing and said it would not have a material impact on its finances or operations. The company is reviewing the communication and considering its next steps.

Different Developments, Similar Workplace Questions

The Accenture and Infosys developments are not directly connected. However, they highlight different challenges facing large technology and consulting companies: maintaining employee availability during critical business periods while also managing leave policies and complying with working-time regulations across different markets.

For Accenture, the immediate focus is on the final weeks of its financial year and improving business momentum. For employees, the one-time leave change means unused vacation days will not necessarily expire at the end of August.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2026 10:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).