'Energy is scarce' | Is PwC's Christmas office shutdown a move all HR teams should consider?

Accountancy giant PwC will close its offices over the Christmas and New Year period in a bid to cut down on energy costs.

The firm, which employs about 24,000 people, will shut its main London office as well as some smaller sites.

In a memo to staff, the firm said: “With many using the festive period to take a well-earned break from work, and with offices typically being quieter during that time, this year we will be taking the opportunity to reduce our energy consumption further by reducing the space we heat and light...”

Chairman Kevin Ellis said having all the firm’s 19 UK offices open over the festive period "doesn't make sense at a time of energy scarcity", adding that staff wanted the company to "do our bit to reduce energy consumption".