Do you sometimes struggle to find the motivation to get out of bed and go about your day-to-day life? If so, you’re not alone. Three-quarters of UK workers have reported that they’re using sick leave to manage stress, which has prompted a rise in the number of businesses adding ‘duvet days’ to their terms of employment.

In this article, we take a closer look at duvet days, their importance in the workplace and what to consider if implementing them into your employee handbook.

What is a duvet day?

A duvet day is essentially a self-care day that gives employees a chance to take approved time off for mental health reasons, with no questions asked. The concept was first invented in Britain in 1997, but has since been adopted by companies across the world.

Duvet days are not counted as sick leave or annual leave, just time off to rest and reset. Staff can spend the day how they wish, literally spending all day in their duvet if it helps.

Typically, duvet days don’t require advanced notice, though it can help to arrange any necessary cover if possible.

Signs your company may need to offer duvet days

There are some key tell-tale signs that your employees may be at the risk of burnout. You may pick up on:

• · Decreasing employee productivity
• · Lack of employee engagement
• · An increase in sick leave

These signs may be visible in employees at all levels. There’s often the expectation that CEO’s can cope with or handle extreme stress, but they may need a duvet day too!

Benefits of duvet days

• · Improves employee health and wellbeing
• · Increases staff retention
• · Encourages honesty and good communication
• · Reduces the stigma surrounding mental health
• · Increases employee performance
• · Attracts top talent
• · Decreases absenteeism
• · Creates a sustainable work-life balance
• · Leads to happier, healthier employees

Are duvet days a good idea for my business?

Duvet days can help to support staff at their most vulnerable times, but managers need to handle duvet days with sensitivity, as there is still a stigma surrounding mental health. Employees should feel like they can take duvet days in complete confidence and feel supported.

Creating a tailored duvet day policy to suit your team and business can be really beneficial. You can even trial the concept and see the results first-hand.

Think about:

• · How many duvet days are allowed per year, per employee?
• · Are they paid?
• · Are there any limitations on when duvet days can be taken?
• · How much notice is required (if any)?

What other companies are doing

For many businesses, wellness days (including duvet days) are now built in as part of an attractive benefits package. Employers have also found adding an additional wellbeing day to reward long service has been great for morale and staff retention.

Companies offering a 4-day working week (that’s effectively a duvet day every week!), have seen a rise in productivity and a fall in sick leave.

Easily manage absences

LeavePlanner enables employees to quickly and efficiently apply for leave, automatically notifying their managers to make requests instant to approve.

Track employee duvet days

LeavePlanner makes it possible to track absences and offer duvet days without any added stress.

To arrange your free trial of our easy-to-use absence management software, call Steve on 01252 636 070 or email support@leaveplanner.com.

Pssst! Check out our new all-in-one system, HR Planner, which incorporates an easy-to-use leave management solution, designed specifically with SMEs in mind.