Ernst and Young in China has asked for its employees to take 40 days of low paid leave to help ease pressures on the big four accountancy firm during the economic down turn, according to a report from Reuters.

The low paid leave is to begin from July 2009 to June 2010 and those who agree to the scheme will get 20% of their normal salary but still get the benefits of a full time employee.

The accountancy firm is applying its programmeto employees in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

In addition, the report states that E&Y is encouraging staff who have upcoming professional exams to take 20 days off before they start.