Sportswear brand Nike has offered its staff a week off to “destress” following the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Workers based in their head office in Oregon, US, told staff to leave any overhanging work tasks until the following week and take some time to themselves in a bid to help improve their mental wellbeing.
In a message sent to staff, and posted publicly on LinkedIn, Nike’s senior manager of global marketing science, Matt Marrazzo, explained: “In a year (or two) unlike any other, taking time for rest and recovery is key to performing well and staying sane.
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“Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones. Do not work.
“It’s not just a ‘week off’ for the team … it’s an acknowledgment that we can prioritise mental health and still get work done.”
Nike is the latest big name brand among several corporations that have tried to redress the work-life balance, which has been thrown off for some during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Staff at dating app Bumble were also offered an extra week of paid leave to take in June this year.
The news comes after it was reported that a number of people had been suffering from “pandemic burnout”, with many feeling worn out and unable to cope with the ongoing stress with lockdown and fears of family members getting ill.
In data acquired by The Guardian, 60 per cent of people in the UK saying they are finding it harder to stay positive daily compared with before the pandemic.
Meanwhile, a study published in Forbes found worker burnout in America has reached critical levels - over 52 per cent of respondents described themselves as experiencing burnout, with another 80 per cent believing the coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the sensation.
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Having a week away from work can only be a good thing - we hope more companies are considering this move.
Featured Image Credit: ShutterstockTopics: Health, Life, News, Coronavirus