Why TED’s enforced rest period is a great idea
TED has shut down operations for two weeks, from mid-July to August. No working allowed, not even from home!
TED.com editor Emily McManus published her post explaining why all workers at TED are being encouraged to take two weeks' holiday, a company policy since 2009.
The main reason for this break is that the company believes that this short mid-year break enhances the overall productivity of the company!
June Cohen, Executive Producer at TED, stated, "When you have a team of passionate, dedicated overachievers, you don't need to push them to work harder. Instead, you need to help them rest. By taking two weeks altogether, it ensures everyone takes a vacation," she says. "Planning a vacation is hard—most of us would feel a little guilty taking two weeks off if it weren't pre-planned for us, and we'd likely cancel when something inevitably came up. So this creates an enforced rest period, which is important for productivity and happiness."
Some business owners and managers may think this is crazy, but the success of TED and the motivation of employees speak for themselves.
So why is this such a great idea?
1. Productivity
Getting things done has less to do with time and more with team efficiency. A rested employee will achieve twice as much as an exhausted employee with the same time.
2. Creativity
Refreshed employees are more creative. Think of how creative you are early in the week versus a Friday afternoon after a long week.
3. Retention and loyalty
Employees who feel cared for by their employer stay longer, show more loyalty, and demonstrate greater commitment to the business.
The core lesson
Hire motivated people, look after them, and ensure they recharge. With this lesson, rostering becomes paramount to spread the load equally among high performers. Check out RosterElf for better workload distribution.
Employee wellbeing drives business success
When employees feel valued and supported, they perform at their best, positively impacting business outcomes. Companies that prioritise wellbeing see boosted employee productivity.
Refreshed teams complete tasks efficiently and reach goals faster. Supported employees also bring creativity to their roles, offering high-level ideas that drive growth.
Retention is another benefit. Employees who feel their wellbeing is valued tend to stay longer, helping retain top talent and reduce turnover-related costs.
By focusing on boosting productivity, creativity, and retention, we create an environment where both our employees and our company can thrive.
Improve productivity with staff wellbeing
Productivity is more than managing time. It’s about enhancing each employee’s quality and efficiency. When team members work effectively, we benefit from smoother operations, faster project completions, and better results.
Boosting productivity isn’t just about hours clocked in; it’s about how our employees use time to create meaningful work. Rest and recovery are essential elements of improving productivity but are often overlooked.
A well-rested, high-performing employee completes tasks with clarity and energy, driving us forward. Encouraging regular breaks and supporting a healthy work-life balance positively impacts productivity.
When we encourage employees to prioritise their health, we create a healthier, more productive work environment. By focusing on productivity as a combination of time and efficiency, we build a sustainable, high-quality workplace.
How rest impacts workplace productivity
The connection between rest and efficiency is clear. Studies show that well-rested employees are more focused, better at decision-making, and show greater resilience.
A rested employee approaches tasks with a fresh mindset, making fewer mistakes and working faster than an exhausted colleague. Imagine two employees: one starts the day rested and energised, while the other is fatigued. The refreshed employee completes tasks efficiently, with fewer errors and higher quality.
In contrast, a tired employee may struggle to concentrate, take longer to complete tasks, and make more mistakes, negatively impacting team productivity. This efficiency gap grows over time.
Continually well-rested employees maintain higher levels of productivity, avoid burnout, and foster a sustainable culture of quality work. Creating a calm, focused workplace reinforces that productivity isn’t about working harder but working smarter, balancing effort with rest.
A supportive environment with regular opportunities for rest enables employees to perform at their best, boosting productivity and building a successful, efficient business.
How wellbeing drives creativity at work
Creativity drives business success by bringing fresh ideas and innovative solutions that help us stay competitive. But creativity doesn’t happen in isolation; it thrives when employees are mentally refreshed in a work environment that values innovation.
When team members have time to recharge, they approach problems with fresh perspectives and are encouraged to think outside the box. Innovation is essential for our growth, adaptability, and ability to keep up with industry demands.
Building a culture that supports rest and mental clarity unlocks new levels of creativity, paving the way for lasting success.
The link between rest and creative work
Mental clarity and creativity go hand in hand. Creativity requires an open, flexible mind, which is hard to achieve without adequate rest. Mental fatigue limits broad thinking and novel connections.
Consider how an employee feels on a Monday morning after a restful weekend versus Friday afternoon at the end of a long week. Early in the week, employees are more alert, better at brainstorming, and more likely to offer fresh ideas.
As the week progresses, fatigue sets in, reducing mental clarity and stifling creativity. Research supports this link between rest and creativity.
Studies show that creative teams perform better when given opportunities to recharge, whether through structured breaks or downtime outside work. Companies that support flexible hours and regular breaks report higher levels of innovation and employee satisfaction.
Relaxing the brain enables it to make surprising connections, a critical aspect of creativity. Promoting a culture where rest is valued sustains creativity and innovation.
Refreshed employees contribute enthusiastically to brainstorming and collaboration, leading to inventive results and higher levels of innovation.
Employee wellbeing boosts retention
Employee wellbeing plays a significant role in retaining employees and building long-term commitment. When we genuinely care for our employees’ health and happiness, they feel valued and secure, fostering a strong connection to the company.
Retention is easier when employees see that wellbeing is a priority. They feel more appreciated and motivated. This dedication improves performance, productivity, and loyalty, creating a workplace where both we and our people thrive.
Wellbeing promotes employee loyalty
Employee retention goes beyond roles and salaries. Psychological and emotional factors influence how connected employees feel to their workplace.
When employees experience genuine support, their loyalty strengthens. They’re more likely to stay, driven by a sense of belonging and appreciation. Research shows a direct correlation between employee satisfaction and loyalty. Higher satisfaction leads to:
- Greater willingness to stay
- Increased motivation to invest in the company’s success
For example, employees who feel their wellbeing is valued are motivated to go above and beyond in their roles. We support mental health, flexible work-from-home options, and work-life balance, which leads to higher retention rates.
These efforts reinforce that we value employees as individuals, not just workers. This creates a reciprocal relationship: our employees feel loyal because they’re supported, and in turn, they offer their best work.
Team-building and loyalty support
Positive relationships with colleagues and alignment with our company culture make employees more engaged and loyal over time.
Supporting wellbeing through meaningful policies boosts retention and builds a workforce that is dedicated, productive, and aligned with our goals.
Leadership promotes employee wellbeing
Leadership is essential in building a culture that prioritises care and wellbeing. Leaders who genuinely care about their team’s wellbeing foster a supportive environment that drives success.
When leaders model balanced, healthy behaviours, they inspire their teams to follow suit. By valuing wellbeing, our leaders show that employees are appreciated, creating a culture of respect and motivation.
Leaders who champion wellbeing practices set a positive tone, boosting productivity, retention, and satisfaction across the organisation.
Leading by example in wellbeing
Effective leaders understand that supporting wellbeing requires more than policies. It’s about demonstrating genuine care. Regular check-ins allow leaders to connect with team members, ensuring they feel heard and supported.
Constructive feedback, adjustments to workload, or additional resources positively impact employee morale and performance.
Flexible work arrangements are another way our leaders support wellbeing, allowing employees to balance work with personal responsibilities.
A positive work environment includes boundaries that encourage rest and renewal. Leaders who respect work-life boundaries and limit after-hours communication set an example that productivity isn’t about constant availability but about balanced, focused work.
Encouraging team members to take breaks and disconnect outside work hours reinforces the importance of rest. This leads to an energised, engaged workforce.
Our leaders also boost productivity and creativity by fostering an environment where team members feel safe sharing ideas. Team activities, brainstorming, and open feedback support innovation, with leaders ensuring every voice is heard.
By demonstrating these behaviours, our leaders create a culture of wellbeing that inspires peak performance.
Rostering optimises staff wellbeing
Staff rostering is essential for balancing workloads and supporting employee wellbeing. By planning shifts strategically, we ensure employees aren’t overwhelmed, promoting a healthier work-life routine.
Proper rostering prevents burnout by distributing tasks evenly, allowing teams to stay productive without compromising health. Thoughtful rostering improves team performance and positively impacts our success.
A well-structured roster considers:
- Peak hours
- Individual strengths
- Personal needs
This creates an environment that values productivity and wellbeing.
Rostering software boosts productivity
Efficient rostering maximises both employee satisfaction and business performance. Rostering software, like RosterElf, lets us manage schedules precisely, ensuring fair workloads.
RosterElf automates scheduling, preventing overworking and distributing shifts equitably. Features like availability tracking and shift swaps offer flexibility, reducing fatigue and promoting balance.
The benefits of fair rostering go beyond preventing burnout. When employees feel their time is respected, they’re more likely to stay committed. This boosts retention and positively impacts our bottom line.
Smart rostering also prevents staffing shortages and increases productivity, ensuring the right team members are available during peak times.
This balance leads to smoother operations, better customer service, and a more engaged workforce.
Using rostering software simplifies creating a reliable team schedule. By considering everyone’s availability and preferences, we support both personal wellbeing and career advancement.
This approach maximises efficiency, fostering loyalty and satisfaction as our employees feel valued and balanced.
Prioritising employee wellbeing is a smart strategy that boosts productivity, creativity, retention, and loyalty. Valued employees contribute more. They bring fresh ideas, dedication, and a connection to their work.
Fostering a culture of rest, balance, and fair workloads helps us unlock our team’s potential for lasting success.
Tools like RosterElf make managing schedules easy. They prevent burnout and support a balanced work-life routine. Smart rostering supports wellbeing, streamlining operations and boosting team morale.
Taking steps toward a thriving workplace with rostering solutions and practices that prioritise team wellbeing empowers our employees to succeed.
This approach strengthens employee morale, positioning us to achieve goals and grow sustainably.
