How to Encourage Employees to Unplug Over the Holiday Weekend

With the holiday weekend just around the corner, many employees are already shifting into long-weekend mode. Even so, the reality is that for some, the pressure to “stay available” doesn’t stop just because the office is closed. Encouraging your team to truly unplug reinforces that your organization values rest and boundaries.

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is say the quiet part out loud: “You don’t need to check your email this weekend.” A quick message from a manager or executive acknowledging the holiday and encouraging disconnection can help relieve any unspoken pressure to stay plugged in. Not sure what to say? Try this: “We hope you enjoy the long weekend and take the opportunity to truly unplug. You’ve earned it!” It’s simple, but it sends a strong message.

Even if your team has already set out-of-office messages or planned their time off, a same-day reminder never hurts. A quick internal note with basic guidance on who to contact for urgent needs or what qualifies as truly “time-sensitive” can provide peace of mind and minimize those last-minute “just checking in” moments. You can also remind employees it’s okay to pause notifications or log out of work apps entirely until they return.

If you’re responding to emails at 10PM or sending instant messages during the fireworks, your team notices. Modeling healthy boundaries reinforces that the expectation to disconnect applies to everyone. Can’t help catching up on a few things? Use “schedule send” to delay messages until after the holiday.

Supporting time off doesn’t require a big policy or weeks of preparation. Sometimes, it’s the small things such as a reminder to disconnect or a visible example from leadership that have the greatest impact. If your organization is working to build a culture that values flexibility and well-being, we’d love to support you.