How to encourage remote employees to take breaks/vacation?

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How to genuinely encourage remote employees to take proper breaks throughout the day and actually use their vacation time to prevent burnout, especially when an ‘always on’ culture can easily creep in with WFH setups?

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Ava Sharma 9 Mar 2025
Implement company-wide 'recharge days' if possible – extra days off for everyone. For regular breaks, we use a Slack channel to remind people to step away, stretch, or grab water. Sometimes a gentle nudge is all it takes. We even have a 'pomodoro' bot.
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Sofia Petrova 9 Mar 2025
Make vacation planning a part of performance reviews or regular check-ins. Ask employees about their plans and help them figure out coverage. If they see it's supported, they're more likely to take it. Some companies even offer vacation stipends, which is a HUGE motivator.
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Charles Xavier 19 Mar 2025
Ensure workloads are manageable. If people are constantly swamped, they physically can't take breaks or vacation. This is probably the most important factor. Regular workload reviews and resource allocation are key.
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Ken Adams 9 Mar 2025
discourage after-hours emails or slack messages unless its a true emergency. if ppl see their manager online at 9pm, they feel like they should be too. setting those boundaries at a leadership level is critical.
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Mia Wong 13 Mar 2025
We have 'Wellness Wednesdays' where we share tips on taking breaks, mental health resources, and encourage people to share how they're unwinding. It's about creating a culture where self-care isn't just a buzzword but a practice.
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Oscar Davis 18 Mar 2025
Offer flexibility in how people take breaks. Some prefer short, frequent breaks, others a longer lunch. As long as the work gets done, trust your team to manage their energy. Micromanaging breaks is counterproductive.
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Wendy Bee 19 Mar 2025
Gamify it a bit? We had a step challenge once, which encouraged people to get up and move during the day. Or a 'photo from your walk' channel. Make it fun and social rather than a mandate.
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Accepted Answer · 2025-03-09T09:00:00+00:00

Managers need to lead by example! If leaders are taking breaks and openly talking about their vacations, it signals to the team that it's okay and encouraged. Also, explicitly blocking out 'no meeting' times or 'focus hours' can help create space for breaks.

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