What to Make of “Unhappy Leaves”?

A corporate trend from China has managed to grab attention in America: the idea of granting employees “unhappy leaves.” What should we make of this trend? Let’s break it down.

In March, during the “2024 Supermarkets Week” The owner of the Chinese grocery chain Pang Dong Lai announced a new policy: granting employees 10 “unhappy leaves” per year.

“I want all my staff to have freedom. Everyone has moments when they don’t feel happy,” said the founder, Yu Dong Lai. “So, if you’re unhappy one day, don’t come to work. We want our employees to have a relaxed and healthy life, so the company can also be relaxed and healthy.”

This trend quickly spread across media outlets, from the South China Morning Post to the Economic Times and even the Guardian, before finally making its way to the U.S. in publications like Fast Company and Forbes. Particularly enthusiastic, Forbes claimed that this policy had become “a new solution” for organizations to combat disengagement and burnout. Really?

“Depression Leaves” vs. “Wellness Leaves”

Is this media buzz or a genuine trend? It’s a fair question. Are there really companies (besides the Chinese chain, of course…) offering “depression leaves” to their employees? And is this something employees actually want?

We reached out to Monia Boulais, president of the HR agency MB Ressources Humaines, to see if this trend had taken hold in Canada.

“Personally, I haven’t seen any ‘depression leaves’ in organizations. However, many companies offer wellness or well-being leaves that could address stress or mental health issues experienced by an employee. Focusing on the element of depression would send an odd message,” she added.

A Broader Perspective

Boulais explained that under labor standards, employees in Quebec are entitled to 10 sick days, two of which are paid. Many companies go beyond this by adding 5 to 10 “wellness” or “well-being” days, which fall under the broader theme of holistic employee health.

“This includes not only sick days but also caregiver leaves for children or personal days to be taken after a period of heavy workload. It also allows employees to take time off without needing to justify their absence.”

Feeling a little down? A wellness leave policy like this might just help lift your spirits.


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