Understanding the Importance of Rest in the Workplace
Rest should not be a luxury, but it is often perceived as such. In reality, rest is a strategic investment for both health and the economy. In the workplace, it should be a fundamental operational strategy.
The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) explains that there is evidence showing that rest improves employee performance. In fact, they note that sectors with fewer average working hours also produce a higher Gross Domestic Product per hour.
The Cost of Lack of Rest for Businesses
Ivonne Borden, founder and director of the psychosocial well-being consultancy Agregando Valor, believes that the benefits of rest still need to be visualized, not just on a personal level (physical and psychological), but also on an organizational level.
“A person who rests not only fosters their creativity but also experiences increased oxygenation. Neural networks connect faster; this usually relates to a rest process,” explains Borden.
Borden shares an example where the lack of knowledge transfer is evident. If someone misses work, it’s often thought that the company won’t function, “but that’s not true, the company doesn’t fall apart.”
“What I’m referring to is this idea of centralized power, the notion of ‘if I’m not here, things won’t get done,’ which is very old-school and still persists. This is often what makes rest difficult, and there’s a prejudice about it. The company gains innovation and proposals,” she says.
The founder of Agregando Valor explains that some companies are still unaware of the business impact caused by lack of rest. “But, what do you think? Work-related illnesses do cost organizations,” she adds.
“Rest is not a romanticized topic. It’s a new strategic vision where you avoid risks and fines, attract talent, improve your employer brand image, which now has a stronger impact than a few years ago, and promote true innovation,” she emphasizes.
According to the expert, it’s necessary to have a policy that ensures people take their vacations. In this aspect, having mechanisms or procedures to maintain operational coverage is fundamental. “This greatly helps the right to disconnect,” she adds.
Finally, Ivonne Borden highlights that leaders should set an example: “The real culture is what you see from the leadership team’s actions.”
An Internalized Productivity Idea
Alejandra Orellana, an expert in implementing sustainability strategies in organizations, believes we live in an era where any type of rest makes employees feel guilty.
“We don’t even need someone to tell us we’re not productive; we have an internal ‘police.’ And often, the act of resting, leisure, doing nothing, is precisely when we’re most creative,” she refers.
She warns that there are cultures where rest is penalized in various ways, sometimes not explicitly. For instance, taking parental leave can be questioned with comments like “if you have your mother-in-law at home, why are you taking the leave?”, in some way “questioning that rest.”
Orellana considers that while the quickest change comes through norms, these aren’t necessarily followed.
“When companies truly understand their diverse employees’ needs and respond with a labor flexibility value proposition, it allows them to retain and attract good talent,” she explains.
Finally, she considers that companies must understand that each measure, good practice, policy, or program they decide to implement should respond to a real need.
“If a company doesn’t design its policies according to its employees’ needs, it might implement great things that people don’t use because they’re not addressing any need. Therefore, it’s always important for the company to base its actions on a real organizational need,” she concludes.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is rest crucial for businesses? A: Rest is a strategic investment that improves employee performance, leading to higher productivity and GDP per hour worked.
- Q: What are the consequences of lack of rest for businesses? A: Lack of rest can reduce productivity by 40%, as it affects workers’ cognitive performance, according to the OCDE.
- Q: How can companies ensure their employees take rest? A: Companies should implement policies guaranteeing vacation time and establish mechanisms to maintain operational coverage, promoting the right to disconnect.
- Q: Why is leadership example-setting important for promoting rest? A: Employees observe and internalize the company culture based on leadership actions, making their commitment to rest contagious.
- Q: What should companies consider when implementing policies? A: Companies must base their policies on real employee needs, ensuring implemented measures are relevant and used by the workforce.
