October 10, 2023
Above the Line with Jason Thompson
Introducing a Sabbatical Program:
I am really excited we have the ability as a company to offer the Two-by-Two Sabbatical program. After 2 years of dedicated service to the company, you will be granted a 2-week paid sabbatical. First and foremost, this is one small way we can demonstrate our gratitude for all the hard work you put in day after day, month after month. You are on the front lines every day strategically making the store a success. You are in the trenches fixing problems, managing people, and creating the conditions for amazing guest experiences. From the bottom of my heart, and I mean it, thank you for being a centerpiece of this organization.
So why a sabbatical? Glad you asked. A sabbatical is typically every seven years. Lucky you, we aren’t making you wait that long! We know being a manager is a grind. Day in and day out, you are asked to keep the ship heading in the right direction – and there are a million things you have to stay on top of in order for that to happen. It is easy to get caught up in the struggle of it all. Or worse yet, get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, feeling the life drain out of you a little more every day. Not a great place to be, but we’ve all been there, and some of you might be there right now. We don’t want to create a business that breeds burnout and emptiness. Our desire is to create a flourishing environment where everyone is growing into a fully formed version of themselves. This desire is the reason we are making the sabbatical program mandatory. That’s right. It’s not optional, my friends. The details can be tailored to make it fit to your needs, but everyone will be required to take a two week sabbatical after two years of managing. This is on top of your regular paid time off. That means you will, at the very least, get a full month off of work every two years, along with $3,000 toward a trip to a destination of your choice. I might be a little biased, but I think that’s a pretty good deal. The specific details will be announced soon.
Look for my article in the next newsletter, which will go into more depth about the concept of sabbatical leave. For now, ponder this thought from the pen of Marcus Aurelius:
“If you seek tranquility, do less. Or (more accurately) do what’s essential. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?†But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow.