In the current work context, Christmas holidays are presented as an invaluable opportunity for many employees to rest and recharge after months of intense work. However, the reality for some is different, as disconnecting from the work environment during these dates becomes a challenging task. Despite the current legislation establishing the right to rest and digital disconnection, the pressure to meet goals and close projects before the end of the fiscal year can make this necessary disconnection difficult.
Article 20 of the Workers’ Statute guarantees all employees the right to privacy in the use of digital devices provided by their employers and the possibility of disconnecting during their free time. However, this right often clashes with work demands, which intensify during times like Christmas due to budget reviews and strategic planning for the following year. This accumulation of responsibilities generates high levels of stress in many workers, who feel they cannot fully enjoy their days off.
Jorge Sierra, Corporate Compensation & Benefits Manager at Gi Group Holding, highlights the importance of companies establishing internal policies that promote work-life balance and respect for rest time. “It is essential for companies to develop an internal policy, with measures, that promote family reconciliation and respect for rest, encouraging, at all times, education in the use of technology,” he says.
To help ensure employees’ rest and disconnection during holiday periods, Gi Group Holding suggests several keys that companies should consider. Firstly, the implementation of clear disconnection policies is essential, as well as proper planning of absences to redistribute tasks. Promoting digital disconnection programs and the use of technologies that facilitate this process are also recommended strategies. Finally, establishing a corporate culture that values rest time can significantly contribute to the well-being of employees.
In this sense, Sierra emphasizes that adopting these measures has a positive impact on both the mental health and productivity of employees. Among the initiatives that Gi Group Holding has implemented to ensure true disconnection are benefits that encourage employees to enjoy their free time with activities outside of work, such as subscription fees to entertainment platforms or additional days off on special occasions.
With the arrival of the Christmas holidays, the challenge for companies will be to balance meeting their goals with the well-being of their workers, allowing them to fully enjoy their well-deserved rest.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
