LinkedIn, Nike, Duolingo, Signal Advisors, Netflix, NerdWallet, Microsoft, and Intuit are all companies that have implemented policies to support the mental health and well-being of their employees. These policies range from offering paid time off for mental health days or self-care days to providing unlimited vacation days and flexible working schedules. In response to the increased stress and burnout experienced by employees due to the pandemic, many companies have introduced additional benefits such as collective weeks off work to help them recharge and reduce pressure to constantly be on call.
LinkedIn, a professional networking site, gave its 16,000 employees a paid week off to help combat burnout in 2021. In addition to this perk, the company encourages workers to take mental health days as needed. Similarly, Nike provided its employees with a week off work to unwind and relax, along with the option to take paid Well-Being Days. Duolingo, a language learning app, offers free therapy sessions and shuts down its offices for two weeks during winter break, allowing employees to fully recharge.
Signal Advisors, a software company, offers up to 10 paid health days per calendar year, a wellness stipend, flexible working schedules, and ‘summer Fridays’. Netflix is known for its ‘freedom and responsibility’ culture, allowing employees to take time off whenever necessary without an official annual leave limit. NerdWallet offers four collective Self-Care Days throughout the year, as well as mental health days and generous parental leave for new parents.
Microsoft, with over 220,000 employees, introduced unlimited paid time off to salaried workers and grants employees 10 ‘corporate holidays’ that can be used as mental health days. Intuit, a financial software company, provides a recharge week at the end of the year for employees to rest and rejuvenate, as well as offering their birthday off work. These companies recognize the importance of supporting their workforce’s mental health and well-being, leading to happier and more productive employees. By implementing these policies, companies are setting a standard for prioritizing employee mental health in the workplace.