Guilt-free non-working days are the future

When Rapleys launched its People Plan in 2023, there were a lot of initiatives to digest – an annual wellbeing day being one of them. The first one last year was more of a suggestion and, while many took it up, it wasn’t obvious what we were trying to achieve.

This year, however, all staff had it in the diary from early in the year and were able to plan ahead if we wanted to. It also meant we could look forward to the day and know, without doubt, that we would not have access to emails or be expected to do any sort of work.

I, like many of my colleagues, had been super busy leading up to the day but had managed to plan in a day of no contact with work topics and an activity. As it was just one day, I was able to leave my phone and emails behind. Interestingly, I found it a lot easier to switch off than on annual leave, when I am guilty of taking calls and answering emails. I was also able to make clients aware in advance and they were happy for me and the wider teams to take such a break.

Colleagues embarked on a number of activities – some joined up for a day of golf together, enjoying each other’s company in a non-work environment and, I’m told, they definitely didn’t talk about work! Others took a fitness or yoga class, booked a massage, read a book, went for a walk, had a solo breakfast, chilled out watching Netflix or enjoyed a spa day.

Personally, I had booked in a two-hour ski lesson and then went shopping, both of which were enjoyed immensely with zero guilt. In fact, the day provided me with an opportunity to take some time for me and for what I enjoy, without the guilt of knowing I have left a colleague covering my work while I am off! I think the initiative has been extremely successful at Rapleys this year.

As a planning consultant, the last few months of the year are always the busiest, with clients targeting planning application submissions before we all break for Christmas. I have been managing a number of planning applications within a broad range of sectors, including higher education, industrial and logistics, healthcare and residential.

It is clear that Rapleys understands the pressure we are all under at this time of the year and that is partly why the day takes place in late November. At this time of year, we would not ordinarily think to take a day off on leave even though this is the time where we are likely to need it most!

I feel very lucky to be part of a business that not only encourages its people to have this day but enforces it. Many of our friends in the industry were envious and are taking the idea to their own employers, but this isn’t the only thing that we receive for our wellbeing – we also take our birthdays off and we have a volunteering day for charity – and all our people are welcome to this from day one of their time at Rapleys.

How does this make us feel? Having spoken to colleagues, we feel like we are valued and trusted as employees, and in return we want to be loyal, committed and work even harder to repay that trust and value.

It’s a wonder that initiatives like this have taken so long to catch on in property. Let’s hope they spread fast.