You'd expect empty halls at Cinnaire in Lansing, after the community development non-profit offered unlimited paid time off. But surprisingly, the employees are still there.
"When I first read about it I thought you'd have to be nuts to do this," said CEO Mark McDaniel Tuesday.
He implemented the idea a few weeks ago, saying it doesn't matter where or when the work happens, as long as it gets done.
Deby Toby has been with the group for 20 years, and says the new policy actually keeps people around.
"It takes a load off," Toby said. "People are pretty much taking the time that they need, when they need to take it."
Studies show with unlimited vacation time, productivity goes up, but sometimes employees don't take any time off as a result.
"The thing that management has to watch for is people actually taking adequate amounts of time off," McDaniel said. "That was one of our concerns, people not taking enough time for themselves."
Cinnaire is following in the footsteps of companies like General Electric, LinkedIn and Netflix, offering unlimited maternity and paternity leave, as well as sick and personal days.
All of which psychiatrist Dr. Jed Magen calls game changers for positive work environments.
"You feel part of a valued organization, and you feel valued within that organization," Dr. Magen said.
He says work patterns are changing in most companies. People can now work from almost anywhere, so unlimited time off gives them an almost unheard of amount of freedom.
"Certainly employees can feel more trusted, they can feel empowered," Dr. Magen said. "And they feel like they can take more time and do things."
Vacation, without pressure or limitations.
