Dr. Yasemin Besen-Cassino speaks to Newsweek and MSN about employee time off and “overwork culture” 

Dr. Yasemin Besen-Cassino, Chair of the Sociology Department, spoke to Newsweek and MSN on work stress and limited time off. Dr. Besen-Cassino says that “the current climate of the U.S. labor market adds to our troubling ‘overwork culture,’ with mass layoffs and broader economic uncertainty weighing on employees’ minds.”

Dr. Besen-Cassino tells Newsweek that technology like zoom and email are such an accessible way to work that it makes employees feel they must contribute, even on days off. Additionally,  employees often utilize their paid time off for childcare due to a lack of affordable options. “Therefore many workers are not recharging on these days, but rather performing caregiving,” she says.

A change in mentality is clearly needed. Dr. Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. “It’s important to create a culture where taking a vacation is normalized and encouraged so that workers can fully recharge. Shifting workplace culture can ensure workers can take vacations and are healthier and more productive in the long run.”

One company making a shift is Bolt. Under the leadership of CEO Ryan Breslow, a change from Unlimited Paid Time Off to a mandated four weeks of paid vacation time ensures that employees are taking time to rest while not having to worry about changes. “Just shifting the structure alone is not enough: the culture in the workplace shapes how we apply rules and regulations,” Dr. Besen-Cassino tells MSN.

Written by Vivvy Gundani