Our dynamic workplaces, which usually reward the most productive, have discouraged many employees to break away from work. Taking a leave is even considered selfish and counterproductive—more days in equals more work done, right? Thus many of us, even while on holiday, are still accessible should any work-related issue arises.
We’re still on while we’re off. And we—employers and employees—have let that culture breed.
But if you’re one of those employees who thinks accruing annual work leaves is heroic or an employer who considers work break thwarting the growth of the company, you might want to rethink your priorities.
American Institute for Cognitive Therapy director Robert Leahy Ph.D. said in an article published on Forbes.com that added stressors at work—such as tight schedule, deadlines, and toxic work environment, among others—might be contributing to depression.
Taking a leave, even only a day, from work helps recharge our brain.
Madalyn Parker, a web developer who suffers from chronic depression, took a sick a leave for her mental health, and her CEO commended and thanked her for it.
Company CEO Ben Congleton replied to Parker’s email that said she’d be off for two days to focus on her mental health.
“I just wanted to personally thank you for sending emails like this… I use it as a reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health,” Congleton said in response to Parker’s email.
Parker posted their exchange on Twitter; many applauded her decision to use sick time for her wellbeing, and her CEO’s openness to such matter. It shed light on the stigma attached with mental health, especially the one that’s associated with work.
In the Philippines, employees have different types of paid leaves. Sick Leave (SL) for those who can’t report to work due to sickness or disability, Vacation Leave (VL) which can be availed for whatever purpose, Service Incentive Leave (SIL) which is an alternative to SL or VL, Maternity Leave for mothers recovering from giving birth/miscarriage, and Paternity Leave for fathers whose wife has given birth/suffered from miscarriage.
There’s also Bereavement Leave, Calamity or Special Emergency Leave, Solo Parent Leave, and Special Leave Benefits for Women.
But this advertising agency is taking paid leaves a notch higher. Ideas X Machina (IXM) provides its employees one week Breakup Leave, which they can claim twice a year, to help staff recover from broken heart without resorting to lying in their SL request or going to work while feeling down.
In a report on GMA’s 24 Oras, the agency’s art director shared he once took a Breakup Leave, which allowed him to stay at home, “[I] bought myself a few beers… I think that helped a lot,” he said.
While there are those who feel guilty taking vacation time and sick time, especially those with crucial responsibility at work or those part of an under-staffed department, consultants reiterate the importance of allowing our working body and mind rest and recover.
Resume writing consultant Judi Roo listed seven reasons why you should take a leave from work in her article on linkedin.com: (1) Recharge your “batteries”, (2) be more creative, (3) improve your sleep, (4) keep your family together, (5) rekindle your passion and enthusiasm (6) live longer, and (7) business will carry on without you.
So go and take a break. After all, they say, no man on his deathbed ever wished he had spent more time working.