We all want it, but unlimited time off actually backfires sometimes + The perils of dramatizing historical events
At face value, unlimited paid time off (UPTO) seems like an attractive enticement for employees, but in practice these policies may be more of a hindrance. Microsoft is the latest in a growing list of companies to input UPTO policies in order to attract new talent, joining the ranks of Adobe, Netflix and Goldman Sachs, reports Bloomberg. And employees seem keen on the move, with UPTO policy mentions up 75% from pre-pandemic levels on company review websites.
The reality? While limitless holiday time may initially thrill those looking for work-life balance, encourage a sense of trust and value, and boost morale, research suggests that UPTO policies ultimately lead to employees taking less holiday for fear of overstepping — a perception heightened in firms with cultures prizing long hours or competitiveness. UPTO reductions of administrative tasks may appeal to firms but backfire on burned out employees who are left to shoulder a heavier workload when policies are abused. Data collected by the BBC reveals that employees prefer work from home flexibility and holiday guidance.
Dramatized history: Retelling reality, with a whole lot of fiction: Dramas depicting real life events have been sitting front and center of the entertainment industry recently with the rise and popularity of the likes of The Crown, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and Elvis. It’s all in good fun until the creators take creative liberties that are far from the truth, leaving viewers to make their own distinctions, the New York Times writes. Dramatizing events is at the core of the drama genre, but when the story is depicting real people and affecting the public perception of them this dramatization quickly becomes fabrication. Some have moved forward with legal action against studios that depicted them as caricatures of themselves. Even though such shows have a disclaimer telling viewers that some of the events may have been embellished to add drama, it’s not enough to protect the people whose lives have become tools of entertainment from the changing public opinion in response to the events they saw on their screens, making dramas based on real life events a magnet for defamation cases. Our take: It’s best to take a critical approach to everything you watch — and Google really is your best friend.