[webel0]

> Most gave their staff one full day off a week, either universal or staggered.

I think that this will start to take off if stakeholders can start to coalesce around a single day. Either Monday or Friday. Once you build up the expectation that people are off on a given day, it becomes that much easier for a new firm to adopt (because, e.g., none of their counterparties are in the office).

[dugmartin]

I’d rather it was Wednesday I think. Work two days, have a day off, work two days and have two days off seems more attractive to me long term.

[davkan]

Having a 3 day weekend is like have second Saturday whereas Wednesday off is like having another Sunday in the middle of your work week. Saturdays are worth so much more imo. Waking up and knowing you don’t have to work today or tomorrow. That was my experience doing 2 on 2 off vs 4 on 3 off when I did shift work.

[dave4420]

I agree with you, but I think plenty of people would prefer to go away for a three day weekend holiday sometimes.

[r2_pilot]

I've found when I take mental health days they tend to be on Wednesdays (usually afternoon only), which tracks.

[aitchnyu]

Tangengial, Do the companies doing mental health days also give them certainty they wont be laid off at the drop of a hat and other uncertainties?

[r2_pilot]

I don't quite track what you mean. I use personal leave for these events (often I don't provide much notice; my brain doesn't either). It's not been a problem so far as I have been told, nor is that a concern I have in my field generally. Being able to take care of things that inevitably fail to fit within the constraints of a weekend is quite beneficial and leads to a lot lower stress levels, which benefits everyone.

[hirvi74]

Do you tell your employer that you are taking a mental health day, or do you lie an feign some kind of physical illness?

My employer would not respect mental health days by any means. I've taken them before, but I have always faked another illness. I have also always had this overwhelming feeling of guilt and anxiety that if I got caught, I'd be reprimanded.

[r2_pilot]

I usually just say, sometimes earlier in the week, or often the day of, that I'm going to use my personal leave for the afternoon or day, and my supervisor says okay (I've never once been turned down in the almost 8 years I've been here). It's very much emphasized(I've had 3 bosses say this) that my personal leave is for me to use as I see fit, so long as it's done responsibly. For example, if I were taking a week off, I'd let them know probably a month or two in advance, when I started planning. I also have major medical leave separate from my personal leave. I once had to use an entire month(bedridden for 26 days) and it wasn't a problem; I just had to send my doctor's notes to my supervisor once a week while I recovered.