The firm's "Public Holiday Swap" initiative, effective immediately, gives all its UK employees the choice to take up to three public holidays at another time that works for them in the same calendar year. The holidays that can be swapped are New Year's Day, early May bank holiday and Spring bank holiday, and this year, the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.

Alison Brown, Executive Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, says:

"This initiative provides a more inclusive approach that reflects the diversity of our people and the variety of holidays and observances that are celebrated across the firm. Many of these are central to different religions or cultures, and we hope people can use these swapped days to celebrate the occasions that matter to them with family, friends and loved ones."

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and the summer bank holiday are excluded from the policy in order to ensure that employees benefit from multi-day breaks which are spread evenly throughout the year.

In October 2021, a similar policy was launched on a one-year trial basis for all permanent employees and maximum-term contractors in Australia and has to date, been well-received.