Salesforce & Meta | Wellbeing days are a huge benefit to staff - so why are companies ditching them?

Everyone knows the feeling of being gifted back time to rest and recharge. It could be over some notoriously slow days in the mid-summer heat, or just before embarking on a short break over the festive period, but for employees, those days are hugely appreciated.

The feeling of relief, when working hard, at being told that the work you’ve produced is worthy of some much-earned time to relax is palpable. It’s for this reason that many progressive companies have, in recent years, started offering planned company-wide “shutdowns”.

The office is closed, emails are set to do-not-disturb, and the whole company can get some mental clarity, before returning reinvigorated and rearing to go. Some companies, such as HubSpot and PwC, even dedicate a whole week in mid-summer to allow staff a breather.

It’s a great practice, which not only proves to staff that you care deeply about their mental and physical health, but also rewards them for all of their hard work throughout the year. As such, it improves employer advocacy, retention, engagement and commitment.