Nike Takes the Week Off for 2nd Annual Corporate 'Well-Being Week'
Nike is again closing its global offices to encourage employee well-being, reports FootwearNews. This will be the athletic wear brand's second annual “Well-Being Week,” continuing efforts to give its employees rest and recovery. In addition to closing its corporate and Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) offices, the retailer will give its retail store and distribution center staff a week’s worth of paid well-being days off that can be used at their discretion.
Nike first closed its offices for a week to avoid employee burnout and stress in August 2021. The rest and recovery was timed in advance of the company's planned fall return to the office. Nike revealed in May 2022 that it would once again close its offices for a week this August, as well as offer “Summer Fridays” through Labor Day to end the work day at noon for office employees every Friday.
Total Retail's Take: Nike’s “Well-Being Week” has the endorsement of the company’s executive vice president, chief human resources officer, Monique Matheson. The initiative is "quickly becoming one of my favorite Nike traditions," Matheson wrote in a LinkedIn post, "because everyone was away at the same time." This allowed Matheson and her teammates to "really unplug without worrying about what was happening back at the office or getting anxiety about the emails piling up ... our time away was more restorative."
Nike isn't alone in offering time off to support employee well-being. Companies across a variety of sectors focused on employee satisfaction have begun closing down offices for coordinated companywide paid weeks off. As the hiring market continues to be extremely competitive, organizations are hyperfocused on improving benefits that can retain and acquire employees. Nike smartly included its store associates in its Well-Being Week, helping to satisfy hourly retail workers and keep locations staffed.
- People:
- Monique Matheson
Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Total Retail and sister brands Women in Retail Leadership Circle and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment—or at home on Zoom—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.
Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.
