What if the secret to achieving excellent work results isn’t working longer hours, but instead taking meaningful breaks? At The Harbinger Group, we believe that rest fuels creativity, focus, and renewed purpose. Our approach to time off is grounded in two of our core values: efficiency and decency. We understand that our team is more productive and focused when they have the time to recharge, and we respect their need for time off by ensuring they have ample opportunity to unplug.
This balance between work and rest fosters creativity, helping us deliver our best work. Our Paid Time Off (PTO) policy reflects these values, encouraging breaks and supporting personal and professional growth. By prioritizing our team’s health and creativity, we ensure they return to work refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.
Why Unlimited Paid Time Off Doesn’t Always Work
Unlimited Paid time off sounds ideal—no limits, no restrictions, just take time off whenever you want. But in reality, it can be counterproductive. Employees might feel uncertain about how much is “too much” or experience guilt for taking time off.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, hundreds of millions of vacation days go unused each year, which can have negative effects on both employee well-being and company productivity.
At The Harbinger Group, we offer a more structured and efficient approach with a clearly defined PTO policy that encourages regular breaks throughout the year. This eliminates ambiguity, empowering our team to take the time they need without hesitation.
We also encourage everyone to spread their PTO throughout the year, taking multiple quarterly breaks to maintain focus and energy. This helps our team stay productive and engaged while still feeling rejuvenated.
“The concept of unlimited PTO sounds great on paper, but in practice, employees with unlimited PTO tend to take less time off because there’s pressure not to take too much. Our clearly defined PTO policy actually leads to more time off being taken and a healthier work-life balance,” said Eileen Rochford, CEO of The Harbinger Group.
While We Have a Structured Paid Time Off Policy, We Do Things Differently
Here’s where we do things a little differently: while our PTO policy starts with 10 days per employee, we close the agency every year from December 23rd to December 27th. This unique, company-wide winter break doesn’t count toward our PTO days, giving everyone the opportunity to fully disconnect without worrying about burning through their personal time. This annual break serves as a collective reset, ensuring that everyone returns to work with renewed energy.
According to the Harvard Business Review, employees who took more than 11 vacation days a year were 30% more likely to receive a raise than those who took fewer days off. Additionally, for each 10 hours of vacation time taken, employees’ performance review scores increased by an average of 8%.
Our client, Golden Apple, follows a similar approach, closing their foundation during the holidays to allow their team to recharge. Like us, they recognize that structured time off fosters balance, creativity, and long-term success. Knowing that both our team and our clients are taking well-deserved breaks makes it easier to fully unplug and return refreshed.
Creating a culture that prioritizes taking breaks can result in a more motivated, efficient, and satisfied workforce. Employers should clearly communicate their paid time off (PTO) policies and actively encourage employees to utilize their allotted leave to promote a healthy work-life balance.
This is more than just a time-off policy—it’s about promoting a culture of decency where our people can truly step away from work knowing that everyone else is also taking the time to recharge. When we return, we do so with renewed focus and energy, ready to dive into the new year with enthusiasm and creativity.
Emily Evans, Director of Content and Social Media
“The annual winter break is the one time each year that allows me to truly unplug and reset. Because I know my colleagues are also off enjoying their break, and our clients are typically also OOO for the holidays, it’s much easier to relax and fully enjoy time with loved ones. When I return, I’m ready to hit the ground running and feel more energized and creative, which is a great way to kick off the New Year.”
Avery Resendiz, Account Executive
“The Harbinger Group’s winter break is more than just time off—it’s a chance to truly breathe. Knowing the entire team is unplugging gives me permission to step away without guilt. What’s even better is how fair and supportive the company is when life throws unexpected challenges our way. They’ve always encouraged us to ask for extra time when we need it and, more importantly, made it okay to prioritize our well-being. That level of understanding creates an environment where we can bring our best selves to work.”
Tony Bosma, Vice President of Digital Marketing
“The winter break we receive at The Harbinger Group has been very helpful for me, especially now that I have kids in school. It’s nice to have time off at the same time they do and relieves the stress of trying to find childcare during that time. It also gives me the opportunity to spend more time with them and fully enjoy the holiday season. “
Staying Ahead Through Intentional Planning and Time Off
Our commitment to “unplugging” goes beyond formal policies. At The Harbinger Group, we actively encourage open conversations about work-life balance and lead by example. Leadership makes it a priority to model healthy habits—taking their own PTO, respecting boundaries, and promoting flexibility in workflows to accommodate personal time. Additionally, we offer tools and resources to help our team stay mindful about their time off. From calendar reminders to quarterly check-ins, we ensure that everyone is encouraged to schedule and take their well-deserved breaks.
Taking meaningful time off isn’t just about personal well-being—it’s a business strategy. Research consistently shows that rest fosters creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. We’ve seen firsthand how a refreshed team is better equipped to generate ideas, address challenges, and exceed client expectations. Whether it’s brainstorming a new campaign or tackling a complex project, rest plays a pivotal role in producing our best work. By embedding these practices into our culture, we ensure that rest is an essential element of how we operate. This focus enables us to continuously meet the high standards we set for ourselves and deliver exceptional results for our clients. To learn more about our agency, visit our website.