We’re not trying to start an office revolt — certainly not at ROI-NJ. But, as we start perhaps the second-slowest workweek of the year, the question must be asked: What are we all doing working this week?
This isn’t a push for more quiet quitting — however you define that. This week (and the last week of the year) may be the best opportunity to prove you can work smarter, not harder.
With the kids headed back to school next week and many people already looking to cut out early on Friday (if not Thursday) before Labor Day weekend, perhaps we all should take more of the week off.
We may all benefit from it in ways we don’t realize.
So said Dr. Frank Ghinassi, senior vice president of behavioral health and addiction services for RWJBarnabas Health and president and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.“Labor Day heralds the last true week of summer, and marks a shift in focus from vacations, leisure and rest back to the more regimented and structured realities of the Fall, and all that entails,” he said. “For parents, it’s often the beginning of their children’s school year and the return to a hectic family schedule. For many others, it’s also time to shed the more relaxed days of summer and focus again on the mission of our career, including work deadlines, challenges, meetings, and business travel or daily commutes.”Simply put, if mental health is a top concern, Ghinassi said this is a week to move it to the top of the list – to take stock of your work-life balance as we move forward.“As with any transition, experiential factors are in play: One is the process of letting go of a ‘summertime’ frame of mind, another is consciously embracing the faster tempo and more prescribed schedule and expectations of the Fall. During this time of year, it’s beneficial to acknowledge the transition, and take a little extra care of yourself. “Consider being fully present to these last moments of summer, acknowledge that you may be feeling a loss for the passing season while you recognize the necessary balance between work and play, and finally, remind yourself of those aspects of school and work that bring meaning and satisfaction to your life.”
Here’s the deal: Work is going to be waiting for us after Labor Day. And there are some signs that the battle over office work is going to pick up in the fall.
Consider this: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, tired of the office being empty on Fridays, apparently has put out a back-to-work (five days a week) announcement.
It’s not any better on left coast either.
The new CEO of California-based Farmers Group told employees he was reversing an edict from his predecessor — and insisting employees return to the office. This didn’t sit well with people in the company who had sold their homes and moved away.
And all of this follows complaints about back-to-office policies at Amazon, Meta and Disney.
Here’s the catch: You probably have the time coming to you.
A Pew study earlier this year said more than half (52%) of the workers in the U.S. with paid time off don’t take all of it. Many said they felt they would fall too far behind if they did.
Not this week.
And, remember this: September and October are two of the busiest months of the year — you know, because everyone tries to get everything so they can take a break for the holidays.
We encourage everyone to do so now.
This week, see if you can find a little extra time at the pool or down the Shore. You’ll thank us in the fall.
