This may be controversial…but it shouldn’t be.
TechSlice, LLC had 12 holidays off, some paid community volunteer time, and a discretioanry company week shutdown to ‘reset’ on top of regular employee PTO last year. I’ve been told it’s a LOT of time for a startup. (Only in the US)
Most of our work is deliverable/results based.
This year, I added another week of employee PTO based off of feedback from the team.
I’ve been criticized for the holidays we celebrate and have been told what I ‘should do’…
I love feedback but, telling others what to do without taking the time to understand the ‘why’ behind people’s decisions comes off as patronizing.
You think you’re the only one telling me how to run my company? You’re not.
It’s also not your company and not my first rodeo.
We’re not your average company.
We never will be.
We are a team of creatives and we work on crazy stuff. When were ‘on’ - we’re ‘on’. We perform.
When we’re off, we’re off.
That needs to be respected.
There are benefits to creatives (and everyone) to have that space and time to ‘be bored’, to THINK, to create outside of ‘tasking’. Or just to be with others.
Outside of that, when daycare is closed - we’re closed! When daycare and other institutions are closed, how to you expect parents and caretakers in general to be productive? Some family structures have support during those times and others don’t. That extra support isn’t guaranteed. I’m a big believer in family first. Take care of what you need to. Family time is family time and work time is work time.
I’m a single mom running a company.
I do my best to juggle and sometimes those worlds blend. I can’t do it all at once.
Why would I expect my team to? Get real.
Does that make me less effective?
I’d argue it makes me hyper effective when I’m actually at work.
My perspective and experience running two software agencies, a hybrid venture studio, and growing my company throughout COVID (with a young child) - has shown me the importance of a culture that respects time off and closing when childcare and various elder care institutions are closed.
You may or may not get that but, you don’t have to. My team does.
How we spend our time is our decision.
Not yours. Period.
Happy Presidents Day! (We're Closed!)
We're taking the day off to enjoy time with our family and friends. We hope you take the time recharge (and have fun)! We will see you bright and early on Tuesday!
-From the TechSlice Team
