It’s fairly common for me to feel a nagging sense of guilt when taking time off from work, leaving me unable to feel fully disconnected, and constantly worrying about the tasks piling up in my absence. While this has become less problematic in recent years, this guilt is still something I feel during my time off, especially in the first few days of a break.

It’s important to recognise that this guilt is often a product of the organisational culture in which we work. When everyone else is working during their time off, it’s difficult to relax and recharge without feeling like we’re falling behind.

First it starts as an outlier. Some behavior you don’t love, but tolerate. Then someone else follows suit, but either you miss it or you let it slide. Then people pile on—repeating what they’ve seen because no one stepped in to course correct. Then it’s too late. It’s become the culture. The new normal.

Fried & Hansson. It doesn’t have to be crazy at work.

To break free from this guilt trap, we need a strong culture that values and prioritises time off. And this starts from the senior leadership team, permeating throughout the entire organisation.

Creating a culture of guilt-free time off

Here are some practical suggestions for avoiding the guilt that can accompany taking time off:

• Set clear boundaries: Before your time off, communicate your availability (or lack thereof) to colleagues and students. Set an out-of-office reply on your email, and temporarily disable notifications on your work-related apps.
• Plan ahead: Ensure that critical tasks are completed or delegated before your leave begins. And leave a few ‘buffer’ days open for when you get back to the office. This will help you feel more at ease knowing that important matters are taken care of in your absence, and that you have time to catch up when you return.
• Practice self-compassion: Remind yourself that taking time off is essential for your well-being and ultimately benefits your work. Be kind to yourself and recognise that you deserve this time to rest and recharge.
• Seek support: If feelings of guilt persist, reach out to a trusted colleague, mentor, or mental health professional. Sharing your concerns can provide perspective and help you develop strategies to manage these emotions.

By fostering a culture that recognises the importance of rest and encourages everyone to fully disconnect during their time off, we can create an environment where taking leave becomes a guilt-free experience. When the expectation is that you don’t work during your time off, you can allow yourself to relax, recharge, and return to work with renewed energy and focus.

Every organisation becomes what is tolerated by its members. It’s up to each of us to create the culture in which we work.