CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More employees are taking sabbaticals, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, according to Gusto, a human resources company.
Gusto gathered data from 300,000 small and mid-sized businesses. The survey suggested while still rare an extended leave from work has become more valued in the workplace.
Ashley Creek, a Davidosn, NC resident, remembered the slow descent into her own her experience with depression.
"I was both trying to be responsible in my own life, right, and take care of myself," she said. "And of course, meet my responsibilities of financial provision."
Creek's work as a mental health professional meant working with clients between 50 and 70 hours a week. It was a role, she admitted, was a contradiction.
"Here I am trying to help people implement tools in their life to have a successful joy-filled life, but I'm so tired that I can't do it for myself," Creek said. "Here I am ensuring that this person is getting the right tools to create a successful happy life, and I haven't seen the doctor in a year."
Creek realized she needed to step back.
"It was one of the hardest decisions because I cared about what I was doing," she said. "But also, I needed to be able to provide for myself financially."
Creek's decision to concentrate on herself underscored a shift in how workers are viewing productivity and wellness, according to Gusto.
"We often times wanna show up for people and we wanna love people and that's great, but we also have to take those breaks otherwise it can consume us," Creek said. "What kind of imprint am I really leaving on the world? What kind of joy am I bringing to myself and my family if I can't even show up for them because I'm trying to work so hard."
Essentially living on less income for two months, Creek went back to work. She took a position that worked better for herself.
"I'm just really grateful that I came to a point in my early thirties where I was like: this is not working anymore."
While not everyone can financially take a sabbatical, it's important to check in on your mental health. If your company provides paid time off, experts suggest to use that time for a mental health day.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.