No Emails, No Slack Messages — No Problem. 

When late December rolls around, employees at PagerDuty won’t be hitting deadlines — they’ll be cherishing the moments that matter the most.

by Olivia McClure, BuiltIn Media

Originally posted in December 2024 on BuiltIn

If you thought tax season was the most stressful time of year, think again. 

In a survey conducted by the American Heart Association last year, 63 percent of respondents considered the holidays more stressful than taxes, with 71 percent sharing that they walked away from the season regretting that they didn’t take enough time to relax. 

Evidently, it can be hard for people to prioritize what matters most during this hectic time of year. And when people ignore what brings them joy, it’s more likely that they’ll experience burnout or other mental health challenges. 

That’s why PagerDuty makes it easier for their people to navigate the holidays. Through a combination of fun, engaging events and generous time off, PagerDuty offers employees a chance to both connect with each other and fully recharge, so they come back to work in the new year feeling refreshed — and ready to thrive. 

We interviewed Evelyn Bassett, PagerDuty's VP of Total Rewards and People Operations, to learn how their company makes it easy to recharge during the holiday season!

How does PagerDuty help team members recharge during the holiday season?

At PagerDuty, we’re committed to our employees’ holistic well-being, especially during the holidays. Our approach to helping our team recharge is exemplified by our holiday shutdown. Each December, “HibernationDuty” allows team members to fully disconnect and recharge for a week, while a small coverage crew maintains critical operations. This unique program offers employees precious time to refresh, reflect and create cherished memories with loved ones, free from work-related concerns.

In addition to HibernationDuty, PagerDuty offers four wellness days spread throughout the year. “Dutonians,” PagerDuty employees, are empowered to spend this paid personal time in whatever way they find most meaningful and restorative. We’ve also adopted a hybrid work model, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. This proves particularly valuable during the holiday season, enabling our team to seamlessly blend career objectives with meaningful moments alongside family and friends.

Why is this support important from a work-life balance perspective?

Healthy work-life balance is essential for both our employees’ well-being and our company’s success. While we offer comprehensive benefits covering health, retirement and family care, our primary focus is fostering an environment where Dutonians can thrive holistically. By supporting our employees in all aspects of their lives, we cultivate renewed energy, creativity and passion in their work. This approach helps prevent burnout and reduce stress — particularly during more hectic seasons.

Our philosophy aligns with our company’s purpose: empowering teams to build the future. By nurturing a culture of balance and support, we’re creating an environment where innovation flourishes and our team can achieve its best. This not only enhances productivity and creativity but also fosters loyalty and engagement. Moreover, our flexible policies enable Dutonians to meet both personal and professional commitments without compromise. By prioritizing work-life balance, we’re supporting our current team and attracting top talent who value a workplace that respects their whole selves.

What kind of feedback has your team received regarding this support during the holiday season? How has it positively impacted employees? 

The feedback we’ve received about our support during the holiday season has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, our flexible work arrangements, wellness days and supportive culture are consistently highlighted in employee engagement surveys as key contributors to a healthy work-life balance. Our engagement well-being score has increased year over year for three years in a row.

One of our core values, “Run Together,” has been particularly impactful. Employees often share how this value creates a collaborative environment where work is completed efficiently, allowing everyone to truly enjoy their time off. This teamwork ensures that when someone is on leave, they can disconnect without worry, knowing their colleagues have their back. We’ve heard numerous stories of Dutonians using their HibernationDuty time to pursue personal passions, reconnect with family or simply recharge. Many return feeling refreshed and more motivated, often bringing new ideas and perspectives to their work. This positive feedback reinforces our belief that supporting work-life balance, especially during the holidays, is crucial for both individual well-being and our collective success at PagerDuty.