Paid sabbaticals can make the difference in retaining top talent. Here's proof.

For eight weeks in the summer of 2022, I did no work. I was still employed, but I did not respond to an email, hop in a meeting, or chat with a client on the phone. For two months, I simply spent time with my family and recharged my batteries. And through it all, I didn't get fired, there was no formal reprimand, and I got paid the entire time. In fact, it was my employer's idea.