As we enter the holiday season, a new trend is emerging in workplaces across industries: employees are quietly stepping back from work without officially logging time off, something that’s being called ‘hushed holidays’. But this isn’t about employees shirking responsibilities—it’s about the unspoken pressures they face in environments where taking PTO can feel risky or culturally discouraged. It reflects a deeper issue with how organizations approach work-life balance, trust, and employee wellbeing. Leaders should view “Hushed Holidays” as a signal, not a rebellion: employees are telling us they need rest but don’t feel empowered to take it openly.
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The roots of hushed holidays

In today’s hyper-connected workplace, where email alerts and instant messages blur the boundaries between work and personal life, employees often feel they must remain “on” even during traditionally slower holiday periods. Some fear that taking official time off could harm their visibility or career opportunities. Others hesitate to use valuable PTO for days when work expectations are light, such as the week between Christmas and New Year’s.