Nike is ending the week of paid time off it had been giving employees every August, bringing a close to a program that started during the pandemic to help workers step back and recharge, according to HR Grapevine.
The company told staff that the business climate today looks very different from 2021, and that it needs everyone fully engaged as it works through a period of major change.
A Break Born Out of Pandemic Stress
The Wellness Week began at a moment when many workers were dealing with isolation, burnout, and anxiety. The World Health Organization later reported that global rates of depression and anxiety jumped 25% during the first year of the pandemic, a backdrop that made the annual pause widely welcomed.
Leadership Says the Company Needs Everyone Locked In
This year, employees were told the time off would not continue. Nike’s Chief People Officer explained that the company is in a demanding period and needs teams working and coordinating consistently throughout the year.
The change comes as new CEO Elliot Hill reorganizes parts of the business and directs more attention back to core sports categories like running and basketball.
A Culture Adjusting to New Pressures
Ending the Wellness Week brings an end to one of Nike’s most talked-about morale boosters. While the break had become a tradition for many inside the company, leaders say the demands of the business now require a different approach.
It is not yet clear whether any new wellbeing programs will replace it.
