Staff working for the online dating app Bumble are collectively taking a week off from work. Bosses closed the offices temporarily to help stop collective burnout.
Bumble is one of the few businesses that have rapidly grown in the pandemic. In addition to a huge rise in numbers, the app is beginning to branch out into the stock market. This week, the companies 700 staff have been told to take the week off and take “a much needed break”.
The apps founder Whitney Wolfe Herd made the unprecedented move after realising her staff were at “a collective burnout”. Last year, Ms Wolf Herd made history as the youngest woman to take a company public in America. In an iconic move, she was holding her 18 month old daughter on her hip whilst ringing the stock markets Nasdaq bell. In her accompanying speech, she revealed her mission is to make “the internet a kinder, more accountable place”.
Ms Wolfe Herd became a billionaire in February after taking Bumble public. In a previous interview with the BBC, she said “she didn’t take herself too seriously” as an effective chief executive. Her company strongly believes in striving for the ultimate home/work life balance, even if it means having to take an afternoon off.
Other businesses to follow the example of dating app Bumble
The Bumble Office putting staff’s mental health before work is refreshing. Workers in other industries hare suffering from working long hours. The hours are effecting their well being.
Goldman Sachs employees are warning officers that they will strike over working conditions. The employees are threatening to quit if their hours are not shortened from 95 hour days, five days a week. A spokesman for Goldman Sachs said “they are listening to concerns and taking multiple steps to address them”. However, they do believe people being stretched is due to being “a year into Covid”.
Other business are taking a more flexible approach to work, rather than returning to “normal” office life. Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey is allowing employees to work both from home and in the office. Whilst this is different to his initial idea to let his employee “work from home forever”, it still helps employees.
Apple employees are pushing back against owner Tim Cook. The Chief Executive asks that his employees return to the office at least three days a week. This new policy “is forcing people to quit” according to a letter by The Verge.
The internal let goes on to accuse Apple executives of disconnecting with its employees. The new working regulations make employees feel like they have to choose. Choose between “their families, wellbeing and being empowered to do their best work”.
In stark contrast, accountancy firm KPMG are trying their best to combat employee fatigue. Initially UK Chairman Bill Michael told his colleagues to “stop moaning” before threatening pay cuts and no bonuses. He apologised for these remarks before resigning.
Since his resignation, voice only meetings are on Fridays to reduce the pressure on video calls. In addition to this, early morning meetings are discouraged so employees have more time to prepare for their working day.
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