A culture of rest is a culture of results: Managing leave days

In the fast-paced rhythm of public service and the corporate world alike, the value of rest is often underrated. Yet, consistent productivity and wellness are not driven by endless hustle but by balance, and that includes taking leave. For many Namibian workers, especially in government and essential services, unused leave continues to pile up, posing risks not just to individuals but to organisational health too.Annual leave is not just a benefit, it is a right and a responsibility. Whether it's annual, sick, compassionate, study or maternity leave, each category exists for a reason. These are entitlements provided for under labour law and staff rules, designed to support staff well-being and life events. Ignoring these provisions leads to a silent culture of burnout, reduced efficiency, and often, poor service delivery.Supervisors and HR practitioners are expected to promote a culture of proactive leave planning. Employees should be encouraged to take out their annual leave throughout the year, instead of waiting until the last quarter or end of the leave cycle or year-end rush.Notifying your supervisors helps avoid disruptions in service and allows proper delegation or planning for substitutional arrangements. At the same time, it is important to ensure that employees get their deserved rest without the burden of backlogs.Additionally, organisations must ensure leave records are updated and easily accessible and employees are informed of their leave credit days. Where staff are reluctant to take leave due to workload, that’s a red flag. It’s a signal that the system is leaning too heavily on certain individuals, which is not sustainable and could bring suffering to the organisation should these individuals leave one day.Employers need to understand that rest is not a reward or a favour given for hard work, but it is part of it. When employees return from leave refreshed, their perspective is sharper, their energy is regenerated, and their production will be improved. As we build a culture of performance in Namibia’s workspaces, let us remember: rest is not a luxury.It’s a necessity.*Sacky N. Iipinge is a learning and development specialist with over 15 years of experience in the learning environment, currently employed as a chief learning and development officer at the Ministry of Finance.

A culture of rest is a culture of results: Managing leave days

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Republikein 2025-09-24

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A culture of rest is a culture of results: Managing leave days

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Republikein 2025-09-24

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