Nike surprises employees with a week off, and for good reason

Have you seen this? Nike has given its corporate office employees a week off in an effort to help combat class burnout.

The company closed its headquarters last week to give employees an unexpected break, according to a LinkedIn post by Matt Marrazzo, senior director of global marketing sciences at Nike.

Marazzo wrote in the post: “Our top leaders are sending a clear message: Take time to relax, de-stress, and spend time with your loved ones. Don’t work.”

Nike confirmed that the company’s offices will be closed from August 23-30, “to allow more free time for employees to rest and recover.” The company also said that employees were being paid during their time off.

Marrazzo also noted in her post that Nike is also relaxing its summer Friday hours, allowing employees to leave early or take all day off.

“In a year (or two) unlike any other, taking time to rest and recover is key to performing well and staying safe,” Marazzo continued. “Last year has been tough – we’re all human! We lived through a traumatic event! – but I hope that the empathy and honor we continue to show our teammates will have a positive impact on the work culture in the future.”

In his message, Mrazo said it was not just a “week off”.

“It’s a recognition that we can prioritize mental health and still get the job done,” he wrote. “Support your employees. It’s a good job, and it’s also the right thing to do.”

Have you thought about giving this idea to your boss?