The latest HR phenomenon to reach our shores from the US is the Duvet Day. Designed to combat the perennial problem of the ësickieí, staff are allocated a set number of Duvet Days each year which can be taken without notice. In other words, on those grey, winter days when itís cold outside and bed seems like the best place to be, employees can phone the office at 9am and take the day off.
Jackie Jones, GoJobsite.co.ukís HR manager, explains the benefits of Duvet Days: ìAbsence through sickness costs the UK economy an estimated 13bn each year, and itís common knowledge that about one third of days taken off sick are not genuine*. The idea behind the Duvet Day is that, by offering employees what are effectively legitimate sickies, employers have more control over the number of days staff take off each year. In fact, Duvet Days can be incorporated into the annual holiday allowance meaning that companies are seen to be offering a benefit to staff at no extra expense. But, of course, if people are genuinely ill then they are fully entitled to take time off without using up their Duvet Days.î
Jones continues: ìDuvet Days also make a great addition to benefits packages and, if they catch on, could provide a real draw to potential recruits. Being seen to be a sympathetic employer is vital if companies are to inspire loyalty in their workforce, especially in the current climate of uncertainty.î
So far, the trend has been mainly limited to companies with American links, but itís possible that the Duvet Day will follow in the footsteps of ëdress down Fridayí and become the norm rather than the exception.
*Taken from a report by the Institute of Personnel and Development.
www.gojobsite.co.uk
Canít get out of bed in the morning? Then donít!
Take a Duvet Day off
